Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » What We Live: Soundcatcher
What We Live: Soundcatcher
ByOchs, a founding member of the ROVA saxophone quartet, makes his tenor and sopranino saxophones speak in tongues and assume other identities. Ellis uses a specially constructed bass and electronics to set up a process he calls "string, circuitry, confluence, which creates a juxtaposition of natural and electronic sounds. Robinson is a wonderful meld of percussionist and drummer who can equally thrill with technique or create tension with minimalism.
While on a gut level these cuts are bluesy and the rhythms are obvious, the amazing style of vocalist Saadet Türköz takes this session to the next level. She uses phrasing, improvisation, range and sheer power to match each player's virtuosity or rise above them in song. She jousts vocally with sax, drums and bass, or melds with their timbres, all the while (or most of it, anyway) remaining true to her Central Asian roots.
After leaving East Turkestan as a child due to Chinese oppression, Türköz and her family arrived in Istanbul, where she became interested in vocally improvising Koran text. As a young adult, she arrived in Switzerland, becoming entwined in free jazz. Her presence transforms the trio: the bass magically becomes an oud, the sax transmutates into a flute, and the drums morph into percussion. Creative music for creative listeners and an outstanding vocal treat.
Track Listing
Raise Up An Ocean; One (for Lacy); The Kiss Off; Arvak (the Spirit); Native Girl With Big Ears; Sound-chaser.
Personnel
Lisle Ellis: acoustic bass; Larry Ochs: sopranino, tenor saxophones; Donald Robinson: drums; Saadet T
Album information
Title: Soundcatcher | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Fire Museum Records