European bassist
Fabian Gisler has three sides to his music -- free improvised, introspective, and modal neo-bop. Each of these components are lumped together in big chunks, comprising the programming on this CD with his quartet.
Gisler, whose playing resembles no particular influence, is clearly a thematic leader whose jazz cannot be generalized, yet borrows from several styles of the modern ilk. If you read the witty liner notes, you see he is intrigued by incessant liars, the concept of a hole, and rambling B.S. These aspects of mortal human life translate into a creative improvised music that borrows from past American traditions forged with contemporary classicism, and an intellectualism that is at once serious and painstakingly deliberate. The first four pieces express the spontaneous aspect, with three being snippets. The longer piece "The Inner Storm" acts like it wants so badly to grow up into a bop adult, but is throttled. In the short forms time floats, and anything threatening is minimalized. Of the following three compositions, a lighter, sweet, succinct component frames the lovely ballad "Sans un Mot," but the sun is down for good during the free and sparse "Fields of Darkness" closed in by the shuffling brush work of drummer John Schröder, probing piano from
Colin Vallon, and flighty tenor sax via Henrik Walsdorff. "A New Life" has
Gisler's plucked bass overdubbed on top of bowed harmonic sawing begging Walsdorff's tenor to go away. The final three tracks are in-concert performances showcasing contemporary jazz with a consistent rhythmic center, and will for many be the most listenable music. "Starsky's Delight" reflects the kinetic and lively New York post-bop sound, "Freedom Speech" recalls the
Jan Garbarek-
Keith Jarrett ECM concept with
Jim Pepper-like Native American flourishes, and "Neues Stück" is an out-and-out hard bopper identified by elongated start-stop phrases à la
Charles Mingus. This is an interesting recording that has many mood changes, challenges the listener to pay attention, and expects you to ante up the fee and enjoy the ride, which t times is bumpy, but quite enjoyable. ~ Michael G. Nastos