Graham Reid | | 1 min read
Although released at the end of last year it's likely this album of improvised, experimental music recorded at Wellington's Meow last June went past many, just as it did us.
We forgive ourselves however because the iiii label is among the most productive in the country.
At bandcamp you can buy a package of all 68 albums (so far!).
Here are many of the label's prime movers: the core Spit quartet of saxophonist Jeff Henderson (on piano), bassist Tom Callwood, Anthony Donaldson on percussion and Daniel Beban (author of the highly recommended Future Jaw Clap book on the Primitive Art Group) playing prepared guitar.
With drummer Riki Gooch and – perhaps the most unexpected addition -- Shayne Carter (guitar).
Those who have followed Carter's activities outside of rock culture will know that this kind of performance opportunity is well within his grasp.
Here he adds extra texture and layers to these pieces which extend from the abrasive 20 minute sonic landscape (seascape perhaps?) of the opener Castaway Part I to Rage of Elements Part II which closes the album with, initially, gentle piano and distant guitar and percussive interpolations before a muscularity pulls it into a more vigorous and powerfully impressionistic zone.
It's as if great wedges of ice are looming up over a wooden vessel, crushing it slowly as stays snap, the hull cracks and masts creak.
The album title suggests an untethered personality to the music and while the performers are in a context which allows for unconstrained expression there is a very clear and emotionally gripping sensibility which overarches this.
That ship/journey metaphor may seem imposed, but music this creative and free of external reference allows the listener to find or create a meaning or narrative.
Doubtless you'll find your own because this is a deep immersion of inventive, tightly wound music which evokes and invokes more than it gives away in an obvious manner.
Very impressive.
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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here
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