Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Maria Faust Jazz Catastrophe: Maria Faust Jazz Catastrophe
Maria Faust Jazz Catastrophe: Maria Faust Jazz Catastrophe
ByThis big band is the most ambitious project of Faust so far after leading her own group and the all-female Pistol Nr. 9 band. The album is covered with disturbing and suggestive art by Estonian artist KIWA inspired by a short story by Franz Kafka, "In The Penal colony," but Faust music is much more uplifting. Her Big band is comprised by a remarkable set of musicians associated with Barefoot and Ilk Music labels-musician collectives.
Most of Faust compositions rely on distinct rhythmical basis, the foundation of the powerful, often wild and eccentric, multi-layered interplay that feature imaginative roles for vocals, tuba and electronics. The minimalist and cinematic "City Birds at Night"is the exception, gently assembles experimental sounds into a moving, haunting theme. "Superhero Trauma Center" is a festive piece, alternating between employing the big band in its most voluminous power and uncovering the chaotic, skeletal sonic fragments that are the core of this piece, using the distorted sounds of Stephan Sieben guitar as the main ingredients.
Faust using the same approach on "Figaro." The big band patiently and with conversational and democratic manner builds the enigmatic tension while she, on the alto sax, gently and with more narrative progression gently disassemble it. "Vladimir" highlights the fascinating rhythmical work of double bassists Nils Bo Davidsen and Adam Pultz Melbye and tuba player Kristian Tangvik. The last piece, "Love is a Dog from Hell" has an infectious, touching theme, beautifully articulated by trumpeter Kasper Tranberg.
Faust deserves wider recognition. She is an outstanding composer who uses her big band wisely to feature highly imaginative pieces, all full of passion, inventive surprises, elegance, and humor.
Track Listing
Rocket Thighs; City Birds at night; Superhero Trauma Center; Figaro; Vladimir; Love is a Dog from Hell.
Personnel
Maria Faust
saxophoneMaria Faust: alto saxophone; Lars Greve: clarinet, tenor saxophone; Sture Ericson: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Henrik Pultz Melbye: tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone; Anna Juuliska Nykvist: flute, piccolo; Tobias Wiklund: trumprt; Kasper Tranberg: trumpet; Jens Kristian Bang: trombone; Kristian Tangvik: tuba; Qarin Wikström: voice, omnichord, electronics; Adam Pultz Melbye: double bass; Nils Bo Davidsen: double bass; Stephan Sieben: guitar; Morten Pedersen: piano; Håkon Berre: drums.
Album information
Title: Maria Faust Jazz Catastrophe | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Barefoot Records