Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Oren Ambarchi and Eli Keszler: Alps

7

Oren Ambarchi and Eli Keszler: Alps

By

Sign in to view read count
Oren Ambarchi and Eli Keszler: Alps
A release on the Dancing Wayang label is always cause for celebration for several reasons. Firstly, they are few and far between, with Alps being only the label's ninth release since it began issuing records in 2007; rarely do two appear in a year, and never more than two—which makes 2014 a special year as Alps follows the release of Motion by N.E.W. earlier in the year. Secondly, the reason for their scarcity is that each Dancing Wayang release is a labour of love, with great care and attention to detail lavished on each one. That extends from the careful selection of the artists who appear on the label (usually solo performers or well-paired duos) through the recording process (always studio-recorded by label proprietor Anna Tjan herself, never concert recordings) and on to the sleeve art of the 180 gram vinyl, which is so good that framed limited editions of it are made available. As a result, every release is an instant collector's item, so their limited editions of 500 copies per issue tend to go like hot cakes...

All of the above is exemplified by Alps, recorded (as ever for Dancing Wayang) at London's Eastcote Studios, in June 2013. The pairing of guitarist Oren Ambarchi with visual artist—the sleeve art is his work—and percussionist Eli Keszler is featured on two extended tracks, one per side of the record, "Alps I" and "Alps II," with durations of just over twenty and fifteen minutes respectively. Straight from the beginning of side one, the sound quality is exquisite as the telltale tones of sustained bowed cymbals ring out repeatedly, underpinned by the rumbling drone of Ambarchi's guitar. As a soundscape, it would not surprise aficionados of Ambarchi's work, but some seven minutes into the piece, Keszler demonstrates that he was an inspired choice to be paired with the guitarist. With no obvious prompting from Ambarchi, the drummer lets rip with a polyrhythmic barrage that lights the fuse of an energetic exchange between the two in which neither is the obvious leader, but which maintains its momentum and pulse thanks to some inspired cymbal work from Keszler. It straddles genres, having elements of improv, drone and noise, but retains the energy of rock music right through to a slow fade that comes complete with static crackle. Very satisfying.

Turning the disc over, "Alps II" displays some of the same strengths as its companion, particularly high energy, momentum and an equal balance between guitarist and drummer. Rather than mixing genres, it owes most to rock music as it is essentially a prolonged guitar solo. That does not mean Ambarchi dominates to the exclusion of Keszler, though. As before, the drummer provides a solid foundation to the piece, allowing Ambarchi time and space to conduct a thrilling forensic exploration of his axe. The combined effect is as stimulating and engaging as before. Way up there with the best that Dancing Wayang has to offer. Praise indeed.

Track Listing

Alps I; Alps II

Personnel

Oren Ambarchi: guitar and bowed cymbal; Eli Keszler: drums, bowed cymbals, crotales, spring harp.

Album information

Title: Alps | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Dancing Wayang

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.