FBVD: Hear Me Yell!

Under the sponsorship of the National Association for Womanhood, the Berkeley-based Californian Musical Institute, granted funds for “musical works that probe contemporary intellectual achievements by women and/or are inspired by a full-figured feminist perspective.” Hear Me Yell! by the Full-figured Brass Vagina Dentata –or FBVD– is the first recording issued under such auspices. Each of the members of the group composed one tune and all chipped in for the closer.

The odd sonic combination of FBVD lends itself well to their firecracker brand of free jazz. “We Blow You Away” is a moaner of a tune –and the shorter tune of the date– whereupon Jenny Esteves’ bass clarinet undulates back and forth amidst pulsating trombones, and an ever- deepening thrust by Cecilia Pauli’s tuba. In the title cut, the nagging and screeching –particularly from the French horns and the cornet– tries one’s listening attention and patience. “Ché Wimmin” is a tango based cut that allows the FBVD to play alongside each other with such discordant precision that they end up sounding like Astor Piazzolla with an accordion with many broken keys.

Intellectual figures and movements –from Schifrin’s Sade inspired works to Haden’s flirtation with leftism and beyond– have long inspired jazz; their translation into coherent musical discourse has not been entirely consistent nonetheless.

Contact: Inchoate Age Albums

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