The team of pianist
Simon Nabatov and drummer
Tom Rainey engages in ferocious free-form interplay leavened by quieter if no less dissonant passages. Sometimes
Nabatov's use of "small objects" and what is called a "cracklebox" has similarities to some of the more esoteric moments of
the Art Ensemble of Chicago, while other pieces are mostly sound explorations. However, there are sections of the piano/drums duets that are more playful, most notably "Nao Olhe Para Tras," which sounds like a Cuban piano piece that is fighting a losing battle to hang on to tonality. The performances on this CD certainly keep one guessing and generally succeed at holding on to one's interest. ~ Scott Yanow