Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Iskra 1903: Chapter Two: 1981-3
Iskra 1903: Chapter Two: 1981-3
ByAs on every album where he is present, Rutherford effortlessly grabs attention. His knack of making the trombone sound light, airy and soaring is uncanny; no one else makes the instrument sound like this. Here, Rutherford experiments by using a tambourine as a mute (on "Eiverl and "Vendia ), achieving an interesting effect that expands the palette, as does his use of euphonium on "Phelgstar. But it is his unadorned trombone that most often steals the limelight. Wachsmann and Guy do not defer to the trombone unduly, but its power and range dominate the soundscape far more than the bass or violin can.
Iskra was an innovative grouping in several ways: the threesome did not include a drummer, giving their music an unfettered, free-soaring quality; they frequently played passages at low volumes, requiring intense attention from listeners, long before this became commonplace; and, unusually for the time, all three players used electronics. Wachsmann used a system that he devised himself, while Guy and Rutherford used electronic boxes made by Ian Mackintosh. Each musician controlled his own system.
By today's standards, the use of the electronics is understated and integrated with the instruments; there is no sense that the two are being contrasted, rather the electronics serve to enhance the instruments, although occasionallyas towards the end of "Emingha the electronics can sound rather pocket-calculator tinny and primitive. As if realising this, Rutherford enters with a colossal blast of bass-heavy trombone that blows away the electronics and transforms the piece.
Evan Parker is present for the last track, "Epis, from March, 1983. It makes for an interesting and contrasting end piece; Parker and all three members of the trio were well-established sparring partners by 1983 but, in truth, the addition of the saxophone dilutes the purity of the trio's sound, making the piece sound rather cluttered compared to what has gone before.
There is a lot of music here to digest and savour. Given that the bulk of it (tracks two to seven) was recorded live in six days, the quality and variety is amazing; initial indications are that it will be an album to return to again and again, each hearing revealing fresh delights. Invariably, music featuring Guy, Rutherford or Wachsmann is worth investigatingand music featuring all three together is simply compelling.
Track Listing
CD1: Dieptaur; Phelgstar; Panshanton. CD2: Veprol; Eiverl; Emingha; Marib. CD3: Stoleri; Vendia; Epis.
Personnel
Paul Rutherford: trombone, electronics, tambourine, euphonium (CD1:2); Philipp Wachsmann: violin, electronics; Barry Guy: bass, electronics. Evan Parker: tenor saxophone (CD3:3).
Album information
Title: Chapter Two: 1981-3 | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Emanem