REVIEW: ISKRA 1903 - FRANKFURT 1991

 

ISKRA 1903 - FRANKFURT 1991 (Emanem Disc , 2001):

Technical Data:

Recorded at: Portikus in Frankfurt am Main - October 1st , 1991.

Analoguie concert recording by: Rüdiger Carl.

Editing, Mastering and Design by Martin Davidson.

Track List: 1-Frankfurter Memories, 2-After the Interval, 3-Wachsmann Am Main - Solo; 4-Rutherford Am Main - Solo; 5-Guy Am Main - Solo; 6-To the End of the Tape

Iskra 1903 is a trio formed by Paul Rutherford on trombone, Philipp Wachsmann on amplified violins and electronics and the amazing Barry Guy (whom I interviewed a couple of issues ago) on amplified double bass. This recording was made in Frankfurt Am Main on October 1st 1991 and it shows the trio at its best. I think the whole concept of the album spins around "Frankfurter Memories", a track that is thirty three minutes long and it shows Rutherford, Wachsmann and Guy constructing melodies and improvisations against the foundations that each musician provides while the others are improvising. There are no holes in here, no spaces to fill, when one musician stops playing, the others start their games of superimpositions and complementations. I can call this CD a Course in Improvisation or maybe a PHD on improvisational skills. As you can hear in pieces like "Frankfurter memories" or the three solo pieces that are presented here, the skill of this people are above average and they know what they want to achieve. Open your mind and listen. Contact: www.emanemdisc.com or emanemdisc@aol.com