Bertrand Denzler / Joel Grip: double bass / Sven-Åke Johansson

Neuköllner Modelle: Zyklus 1

by Mark Corroto
March 19, 2019

The third release by the trio Neuköllner Modelle, saxophonist Bertrand Denzler, bassist Joel Grip, and drummer Sven-Åke Johansson, Zyklus 1 might be considered a zen chronicle. The four lengthy tracks reveal the true nature of improvised sound, group interaction, and thus, the essence of meditation. Like meditation, their music is very simple, yet extremely hard to execute. The use of the classic saxophone/bass/drums configuration yields nothing like trios led by Albert Ayler, Sonny Rollins, or Charles Gayle. Even ...