Jazz Articles

Axel Dörner/Franz Hautzinger/Mazen Kerbaj/Carl Ludwig Hübsch: Ariha Brass Quartet

by Mark Corroto
February 22, 2016

The visual component of music has seemingly always been given short shrift by critics, and for that matter, listeners too. Except for the rare instances where a person is born with an acute synesthesia, or the ability to see musical notes as colors or shapes, perception of sound is limited to emotion and the sensation of movement i.e. dance music. Improvised music, especially minimalist improvisation practiced by the Ariha Brass Quartet maybe the best avenue for a listener to develop ...

MUTA: Bricolage

by Mark Corroto
April 16, 2011

Quite the collective, MUTA makes soundscapes from a cooperative effort that is nearly solo-free. That is, the trio of flautist Alessandra Rombolà, electric harpist Rhodri Davies and percussionist Ingar Zach set aside any individual ambition on Bricolage, to create a consistent and cogent statement. Formed in 2003, the players have one previous release, Yesterday Night You Were Sleeping At My Place (Sofa, 2007). Their approach of slowly building upon minimal sounds, drones, and altered pitches occupies the field ...

Nicolas Christian/ Matt Milton/ Eddie Prevost/ Bechir Saade/: A Church Is Only Sacred To Believers

by Mark Corroto
January 15, 2010

Extraordinary free improvisation (and let's face it, the word “extraordinary" is used far too often these days) tends to be sound that reinvents the significance or implications of music. These days, whenever percussionist Eddie Prévost is involved in the process, the extraordinary becomes the custom.

The session in London grew out of Prévost's regular workshop for improvisers, and features fellow Brit violinist Matt Milton, plus Lebanese bass clarinetist Bachir Saade and the French bassist Nicholas Christian. While Milton ...

Peter Brotzmann/Michael Zerang: Live In Beirut

by Mark Corroto
July 2, 2007

Perhaps you do know it all. That is, you believe you know what Peter Brötzmann sounds like. Certainly, if you have been paying attention for the last forty years, his blasting machine gun saxophone has caused you to either turn up the volume or turn it way down.

To those who believe that “if it is too loud, than you are too old, this duo record with Michael Zerang will not disappoint. But, if you are also a ...