Pianist Giovanni Di Domenico and reedist Alexandra Grimal's emphasis on concepts such as "order" and "spaciousness" informs this improvisational joint venture recorded in 2023 in Gent, Belgium. The commitment to inherent structure and relative expansiveness is manifest in the deliberate selection of titles for the five tracks of Shakkei, whose meanings link back to the music's overall complexion while reflecting both musicians' fascination with Japanese culture and values.
At the outset of "Komori" Di Domenico distributes idiosyncratic clusters of notes and arpeggios — either severely dissonant, or rather imperturbable — as to suggest a dispersion of petals before Grimal, thereby creating a trajectory of scented enigmas. The French saxophonist navigates this path with somewhat tentative, delicately immaculate fragments. "Ishi No Irai / Request Of The Stone" commences with a dialogue between Di Domenico's celesta and Grimal's soprano. The acute frequency gamut is explored with a blend of focus and imagination. Subsequently, the piano enters the scene, giving an illusory hint to more defined contours; still, the duet mostly remains hovering across playful and airy.
The elegant "Kuden", marked by brooding chords and sax figurations effortlessly merging modern jazz with conscious insight, acts as a prelude of sorts to "Sanmai". In the latter's over twenty minutes, Di Domenico and Grimal compound pipe organ and reeds in a fairly minimalist configuration, through which they nourish the respective resonant qualities. The resulting textures are informed by intertwined upper partials and more explicit contrapuntal modules. Nonetheless, the conclusion of the piece is remarkable because of the duo's sudden disregard for any systemic concerns, in favor of a total release of energy. Conversely, the concise "Yorishiro" brings this excellent album to a close with a beautiful chiaroscuro articulated in the bass register of Di Domenico's piano, juxtaposed with Grimal's intuitive choice of pitches, which drift from one vision to the subsequent, each of them persisting for just a fleeting instant.
The interconnection of sonic factors and undeclared hypotheses fortifies the tacit coherence of all the pieces. Notwithstanding the sense of composure that pervades much of its temperament, this set often evokes a perception of the unexpected, providing a receptive listener with profound dimensions that transcend mere relaxation. Reiterated spins are thoroughly recommended.
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