London's Cafe Oto has in recent years become a hub for musicians looking to push creative boundaries in front of an audience, or just ride the wave of a transient hype. Unquestionably belonging to the former variety, the trio of Christoph Gallio (soprano, alto and C-melody saxes), Dominic Lash (double bass) and Mark Sanders (drums and percussion) ventured there on December 18, 2022, recording the five tracks that now shape this album. Though labeled as "compositions" on the cover, the three parts of "Wildlife" and the two of "Homelife" exude a feel of recurrent eruption informed by elements of free jazz, with no shortage of soloing.
Speaking of jazz-related anatomy, Gallio's multi-dimensional modus operandi showcases his gutsy self through the pitches, phrases and out-and-out squeals emanating from the reeds, now and again straying from the trodden paths of commonly intended "free". Gallio's sonic globetrotting despises genres, connecting the tumultuous energy of outbursts filled with brutal, but never vulgar affirmations, and the relative quietness of less fiery atmospheres (or, if that's the case, spurts of melodic hiccupping).
In a semi-anarchist mask, Sanders approaches the percussive landscape like a seasoned artisan, energetically sculpting beats, accents and rhythms akin to sensibly carved woodwork. He turns the components of swing into a mosaic of fragments that twirl and shift awkwardly, and wonderfully. Sanders' improvisational instinct deftly balances order and chaos, gifting us with a rather complex rhythmic perspective.
Complementing this canvas is Lash's wise bass, its earthy tones resonating with a grounding force that infuses the interplay with a sense of depth and vigor. Via the vibrancy of plucked lines, bowed harmonics and genuine growls, Lash juxtaposes pictures of sheer class and rebellious spirit, challenging conventions while paying homage to the ones who came before, eliciting subcurrents that pulse with measurable intensity.
Ultimately, Gallio, Lash and Sanders' synergy melds three distinct voices into an amalgam of structured logic and dismemberment of meaning that defies categorization. Their alliance evokes unrest and refinement in equal doses, superimposing no-nonsense audacity, impressive upsurges, and reciprocal respect. This music stands as a testament to the trio's unrestrained inventiveness.
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