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Drip, Drip, Drip: A Celebration of Drip Audio
BySubtle Lip Can
Subtle Lip Can
Drip Audio
2010
From Montreal rather than Vancouver, Subtle Lip Can is a trio that brings together Joshua Zubot, guitarist Bernard Falaise and Isaiah Ceccarelli on percussion and piano. On the opener, "Chickle That Bottom," all three employ extended techniques to produce a highly distinctive soundscape consisting of overlapping fragments of sound, some attributable to an instrument, others of less certain provenance; included in the latter category is a low frequency lowing sound that is most likely the product of Falaise's guitar. More importantly, the contributions of all three players combine into a sonic tapestry in which they are equals.
On "Inside Look," that bass rumble is there again, effectively underpinning the whole piece; above it Zubot's violin steals the limelight with a solo full of dramatic flourishes. That sets a pattern for the album; time and again it is the violin that commands attention. But Falaise and Caccarelli deserve their fair share of attention too, generating rich, detailed patterns, with percussion frequently bubbling to the surface. Across the eight tracks, the overall effect is of a constantly-shifting landscape, rich in detail, which pays particular attention to the bottom end. The result is satisfying music that contains enough variation to handsomely repay repeated listening.
Aeroplane Trio
Naranja Ha
Drip Audio
2010
Although Aeroplane Trio was formed in 2001, Naranja Ha is their first commercial release. As well as a studio-recorded CD dating from July 2009, the release also includes a DVD featuring the 45 minute "Live at Ironworks" recorded in January 2008 plus an interview with the players entitled "Getting to Naranja Ha."
Compared to the democratic Subtle Lip Can, Aeroplane Trio functions far more as a conventional trumpet trio, with trumpeter JP Carter well to the fore. Carter is a versatile player who plays fluently in a range of styles from the conventional mainstream jazz of "Lucky Loonie"complete with its quotes from familiar tunesthrough to the freer, more experimental sounds of "They Came and Took Away Our Kittens." While such eclecticism is commendable, it hints that the three have yet to find their own voice as a group. Based on their showing here, the free route would seem to be a fruitful avenue for them to explore further.
Bassist Russell Scholberg and drummer Skye Brooks are an efficient and supportive rhythm section for Carter, injecting enough of themselves to leave their stamp on the music. As a threesome, Aeroplane Trio sound compatible and comfortable in each other's company. Having taken the plunge and released one album, it is to be hoped that they follow it up rapidly, to build on the promise shown here.
Gord Grdina Trio with Mats Gustafsson
Barrel Fire
Drip Audio
2010
Despite Drip Audio's focus on local bands, the addition of a musician from further afield does add spiceparticularly when that addition is saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. In fact, this is Gustafsson's second appearance on the label, after he was guest on one track on Continent $ Western by avant-rock septet Fond of Tigers. (Incidentally, Jesse Zubot is a member of Fond of Tigers. So are Carter and Brooks from Aeroplane Trio, but they are also in the quartet Inhabitants, too. Brooks is also in the band of Tommy Babin, bassist in the Gord Grdina Trio. All a bit incestuous, eh? If it seems confusing, try drawing a Venn diagram).
Gustaffson's hell-for-leather approach to improvising is as unmistakeable here as ever, guaranteed to set the pulse racing and get the adrenalin pumping. Rather than the saxophonist seeming like a guest soloist who has been grafted onto the trio, the playing and attitude are perfectly suited to Gustafsson's. Gord Grdina's compositions have drive and energy in abundance, making them ideal vehicles to display the Swede to best advantage. Grdina's guitar and oud playing acts as a good foil to Gustafsson, with Babin and drummer Kenton Loewen supplying just the high-octane rhythm section required. Thrilling stuff. In a close run contest, this is the best of these three releases by a nose.
Tracks and Personnel
Subtle Lip Can
Tracks: Chickle That Bottom; Crumple, Power Down; Inside Look; Tid Lac Boam; Suddle Lip Can; Runst From Thag; Crumpled Up Seed; Polloer.
Personnel: Isaiah Ceccarelli: percussion, piano; Bernard Falaise: guitar; Joshua Zubot: violin, low octave violin.
Naranja Ha
Tracks: Pre Rumble; Lucky Loonie; Rock Paper; Whitehorse; Plastic Farm Animals; Callejuela; They Came And Took Away Our Kittens; Subtle Shock; Whatever Happened To The Sand People; Crow's Nest; Lagoon; Live At Ironworks; Getting To Naranja Ha.
Personnel: JP Carter: trumpet; Russell Sholberg: bass; Skye Brooks: drums.
Barrel Fire
Tracks: F. W. R; Burning bright; 229; Enshakoota: Barrel Fire.
Personnel: Gord Grdina: guitar, oud; Tommy Babbin: bass; Kenton Loewen: drums; Mats Gustafsson: saxophone.
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Multiple Reviews
John Eyles
United States
Jim McAuley
John Butcher
Dylan van der Schyff
Bernard Falaise
Isaiah Ceccarelli
Mats Gustafsson