HUBBUB: UB/ABU

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: September 1, 2001

“HUBBUB” signifies a collective of adventurous, improvising musicians who sport extensive resumes in the Euro-Jazz free improv arena. Comprised of two lengthy works, the band pursues atonal extended note sub themes, subversive drones, and jagged frameworks throughout the entire production. This somewhat amorphous presentation moves about in some sort of imaginatively conjured horizontal course, as the music contains relatively few peaks and valleys. However, saxophonists, Bertrand Denzler and Jean Luc-Guionnet often partake in sputtering dialogue atop Jean-Sebastien Mariage’s sustained, electric guitar lines and Edward Perraud’s happenstance-like percussion fills. - The band surges onward in rather diminutive fashion on the second opus titled, “ABU.” Here, we are treated to pianist Frederic Blondy’s delicate voicings, the soloists’ chatty dialogue, and a multitude of subliminally executed exchanges, as the proceedings tend to become a bit chaotic towards the finale. Overall, UB/ABU is a relatively subdued free-improvisational style excursion, awash with subtle musings and minimalist progressions. Moreover, this release should not be deemed background music fare, although a sense of invariability prevails midway through the second piece.

For4Ears Records

Track Listing: UB; ABU

Personnel: Frederic Blondy; piano: Bertrand Denzler; tenor saxophone: Jean-Luc Guionnet; alto & soprano saxophone, jaleika: Jean-Sebastien Mariage; amplified guitar: Edward Perraud; drums & percussion

Record Label: For 4 Ears Records
Style: Modern Jazz