le GGRIL: Combines

The 10-musician, Quebecois, Rimouski-based ensemble Grill, or in its full name—Grand Groupe Régional d'Improvisation Libérée, is an experimental, improvisation orchestra. The GGRIL has been active since 2007 and collaborated with innovative Canadian improvisers such as reed player Jean Derome (Le GRILL, Insubordinations, 2007), guitarist Rene Lussier, and percussionist Danielle P. Roger (Pinta, Niña & Maria, Ambiances Magnétiques, 2010). They have also toured and recorded with British sax master Evan Parker (Vivaces Tour de Bras, 2013). Combines, available only on phosphorescent red vinyl or in downloadable format, features GRILL on its own performing pieces favoring non-linear forms of composing. All demand immediate choice making by the musician.

"Jeu de cartes" (Card Game), is spread over the first side in two parts, an improvisational game based on a random distribution of instructions devised by label owner, electric bassist and GRILL founder Éric Normand. It highlights the surreal, even eccentric sonic palette of GRILL—two electric guitarists, cellist, violinist, double bassist, electric bassist, two percussionists, trumpeter and accordionist—all coming from different backgrounds. The arresting music shifts gently between experimental sonic searches, reductionist minimalism, abstract noises and intense, post-rock textures. The subtle interplay does not lose its delicate tension, emphatic sonic collisions, or its focus, balance and cohesiveness, despite the arbitrary nature of the game-like piece.

The collective improvisation, "Oui, cela pourrait commencer comme ça..." stresses GRILL musicians' rare prowess to structure detailed and multi-layered texture through non-linear, free improvisation. Again, the tension builds patiently and slowly through colorful timbral searches, minuscule sonic confrontations and changing tempos. "Situation à deux chefs," in it's studio and live version (available only as a bonus, with a download card attached to the vinyl} is another musical game. This time two conductors— Normand and Bastien—compete on GRILL musicians' changing spans of attention, leading the orchestra into intense and aggressive collisions, even more so on the live version. Even in such a chaotic sonic situation, GRILL does not lose its poetic spirit and intricate, playful interplay.

Brilliant, provocative music.