Fusk

Fusk (group)

Fusk (Why Play Jazz; 2011)

Philipp Gropper (sax)

Rudi Mahall (bass clarinet)

Andreas Lang (Bass)

Kasper Tom Christiansen (drums)

Fusk, are a captivating and exciting quartet that could easily be mistaken for one of many of the Chicago piano-less quartet. But this German quartet are no mirror image of their American counterparts. They set loose on an imaginative journey that at it's core has shades of Parker, Coleman, Mingus and Dolphy at their peak. And while American influences may lay within their interior there is a fresh European vibe to that shines on the exterior. It's a rollicking and creative good time. 

Fusk is essentially a supergroup of sorts. This a combination of a number of bands with diverse and dense perspectives. Whether its the fierce rock blend of Eder, the modernism of Quartz or the more dark sinister syncopation of Sonne, Fusk utilizes all those strengths to make for a well structured and brilliantly improvised debut. "Ein Kopf Kaffe, Bitte" jumps and bristles with agile yet twisting harmonics from both Gropper and Mahall. "November" is a shimmering little ballad with beautiful open spaces which Gropper and Lang filled with rich lovely tones. A piece that is resonates on all sides with subtle yet meaningful passion.

"Eins Zewi Polizei" and "Neun Zehn Schlafen Gehen" are where Fusk really start to improvise and fly willing upward with abandon. Each member swirls and creates their own pattern but somehow, somewhere they all meet in the end. It's an avalanche of sounds that stretches for long periods with moments of melodic bliss. Christiansen is spectacular during his improvised moments and provides a level of intrigue that the rest play off of amazingly well. Lang and Gropper move back and forth in raw yet light conversation which is definitely improvised but feels well charted like they had been doing this for years. "Berliner Bratwunder" returns Fusk back to it's more Coleman-esque origins as on "Ein Kopf Kaffe, Bitte". It's a great way to round out a session that has been filled with some diverse thoughts and tones.

Fusk is an album of multiple ideas brought in from previous group experiences. But where this quartet shines is; that they are thinking one step ahead of their some of their European counterparts in that once you've learned from your influences--what will you do with it. Fusk shows that you can do a lot. Enjoy...

Arszyn: Polymer

Topolski/Szwelnik (duo)

Polymer (Self Produced; 2012)

Krzystof Topolski (drums, electronics)

Tomasz Szwelnik (piano, guitar, electronics)

I stumbled into Krzystof Topolski's work as Arzyn last year thanks to Maciej at the great blog, Polish Jazz. Since then I have been devouring everything I could find with his name on it.

On his latest collaboration, Polymer, he has created another other-worldly concoction of found sounds and beautiful improvisations. Added by the Cage-ian work on keys by Tomasz Szwelnik, the duo set out on a path that is dense and expansive. Their use of space and soft, short notes develops a level of calm in the listeners ears as these two long pieces move through your speakers and your mind.

"Poly I" builds slowly with pops and subtle percussion's and kit brushes until midway where Topolski and Szwelnik deliver an abstract exchange of ideas with broken chord changes and interesting sound effects, leaving you wondering if you are experiencing a performance by The Necks. It's fascinating material that later moves a series of nature sounds aided by some light strumming from Szwelnik on guitar. A quiet yet haunting conclusion to an opening movement.

"Poly II" picks up on the haunting imagery with some echo chamber effects on the drums and stop/start pecking the piano. "Poly II" seems to be the more free formed of the two pieces. Each musician plays off the other uniquely with different instruments and layered effects/loops. Topolski makes great use on found instruments within the opening minutes as his percussion sounds almost like hard pulses on the vibes.

The atmospherics are revved up towards the middle as the sound become more deep and ominous. Almost turning into a groove before leveling off with a melody that emerges by Szwelnik's hands. This carries on for awhile before returning to a bass drum heavy with electro-acoustics and experimentation. The duo battle this theme out to the end wonderfully with chimes and counterpoints from all sides.

Polymer, like many of Krzystof Topolski's other combinations is an acquired taste. And like the chemical definition of the albums title, there are multiple streams occurring throughout this forty minute piece, but if you let your mind wonder through the darkness, you'll find this is yet again an unbelievable journey.

Dan Tepfer: Goldberg Variations

Dan Tepfer (piano)

Goldberg Variations (Sunnyside; 2011)

The Goldberg Variations is considered arguably one of the most important classical works of all time. Originally conceived by Bach for his favourite performer, Johann Goldberg as a harpsichord piece, it has become more synonyms with the piano as a result of the legendary performance and recordings by Glenn Gould. Think of it in the same respect as Kind Of Blue, Time Out, Brilliant Corners, etc. for the jazz world.

It's never a surprise when a jazz pianist spins off to record a classical album (i.e. Keith Jarrett, Fred Hersch). It's usually more of a shocker when a classical musicians records jazz (ie. Friedrich Gulda or Nigel Kennedy). In recent years, one of my favourite versions of this piece was recorded by the great, Murray Perahia. But when a jazz musicians tackles one of the more challenging canons of the classical music world--you must take notice. And Dan Tepfer has done just that, with an amazing version of the Goldberg Variations.

Fusing his classical upbringing with his sublime improvisational jazz skills, Tepfer moves effortlessly through Bach's masterpiece. But Tepfer takes this homage one step further with a series of short improvisations that are sometimes rooted in classical theory but also bubble with jazz free thinking. The movements are so refreshing and invigorating that you don't realize when you listen to the original work and when you are listening to the improvised pieces.

"Variations/Improvisation IV- VI" are splendid examples of how this unity of reverence and modern thought unfold into something new and richly creative. Starting gently on its original theme and jumping centuries forward but maintained are the carefully crafted boundaries. This is something you could only get from a new vital talent such as Tepfer. I'm not even sure Perahia would have thought of this.

"Variations/Improvisations XXIII-XXV" springs with vitality and settles lightly with a romantic and lengthy theme by Tepfer. Tepfer closes this recital with an improvised and Bach associated "Aria." Both are touching and resolute. "Aria" as intended leaves a permanent footprint on your heart and mind as it fades into the background of your thoughts.

Goldberg Variations is a return to Tepfer's classical beginnings, but is also a remarkable look at how a classic and timeless document can be completely re-imagined. Dan Tepfer has been a star on the rise for many years. With Goldberg Variations, he has created a bridge for classical fans and improvisational fans alike. Highly rewarding and highly recommended.

Jakob Davidsen: Kammerat Orkester

Jakob Davidsen (piano)

Kammerat Orkester (Gateway Music; 2011)

Peter Fuglsang (clarinet)

Jakob Munck (trumpet, tuba, trombone)

Lars Andreas Haug (tuba)

John Edhe (cello)

Jakob Davidsen has been on the Danish scene for a long time now. It's a shame that more people internationally haven't had a chance to experience this highly inventive and expressionist composer and pianist. I personally have only just discovered him in the last few months and I have been immensely impressed.

His latest, Kammerat Orkester (Gateway Music) is an buoyant mixture of complex melodies and biting humor that reminded me of some of the larger scale Charles Mingus pieces. But as you take the long journey through this session you realize this is a composer and performer on the upswing with a lot to say.

The massive suite, "Le Roi et Le Mendiant I-IV" burst with vivid textures and complexities that move fluidly back and forth. Davidsen allows the musicians a great deal of freedom to mingle and converse while he lays out the path for which they follow close but with a great deal of expression. This is a beautiful piece that is both chamber music and improvised jazz. In the second movement, Davidsen's playing moves from gentle and passion to fierce and explosive with ease. In the third movement Davidsen gives more space to Fuglsang and Edhe to create a melodic calm before it holds you through to the blistering and frenetic conclusion of the fourth movement in which the quintet are almost ragtime in nature but abstract in thought. Great stuff.

The hauntingly beautiful waltz, "Valse Bleue Et Verte" is led by the soft keys of Davidsen and some touchingly deep work by Haug. Edhe's cello just underneath the melody makes for a romantic setting and adds emotion to the ending movements.

The two closing numbers "Silvo Martinello" and "Jeg Holder Af Hverdagen" have a more experimental nature about them. Davidsen's direction to the group seems to be "find your own path and make it exciting." The quintet do this superbly. There are moments of reflection midway through "Silvo Martinello," led by an heartfelt performances by Munck, Haug and Edhe. This is topped off by some blissful yet quiet touches by Davidsen. "Jeg Holder Af Hverdagen" feels like a Sylvie Courvoisier/Mark Feldman piece in its minimalistic outset and seems to be a perfect way to close out this adventure. Lots of quiet chords and space that eventually pulsates to black.

Kammerat Orkester may not be the first stop for most newcomers to Jakob Davidsen but it is definitely the most adventurous of his outings. There are complex themes and melodies wrapped around some sublime performances. Kammerat Orkester is forward thinking music from a growing talent that deserve much wider recognition. A must listen.