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Francois Carrier: Japan Suite
ByOver two sets of collectively-negotiated fare, inclined towards free jazz, it is fascinating to hear the interaction develop from getting-to-know-you exchanges into something more meaty. The contrasting alto styles are an immediate attention grabber. Carrier plays with a lyrical strand to his improvising, recalling Ornette Coleman at times in his insistent songlike phrases. Koketsu, on the other hand, trades in non-tempered squawks, quacks and stutters, evoking an atomized Evan Parker. Bass and drums hold things together, Fuwa especially laying down a melodic pizzicato, blending with Carrier in tonality, pattern and structure, while Itani is more unfettered, prone to spurts of timbral color and meter.
While that might sound somewhat schizophrenic, everyone is both respectful and skilled enough that it actually works quite well. Experienced in the genre, they effectively manage transitions, and avoid all but a few interludes of treading water, though even these tend to lead somewhere worthwhile. The twin altos in consort signal some of the best moments. One standout passage arrives towards the close of "Kacho-Fugetsu (Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon)," when Carrier explodes to transform a sequence of quiet muttering into a stratospheric squall. A similar episode also enlivens "Rakuyou (Falling Leaves)" as the altos braid over choppy pulsing bass and drums.
Fuwa introduces "Ogose" with a contemplative plucked solo, which encourages Carrier to join, in measured fashion, before he gradually builds to a frantic climax, with Itani's responsive dialogue evidencing a particular bond with the reedman. Koketsu's finest hour comes on "Yuzu (Citron)" where her unpredictable trajectory takes in whistles, squeals and multiphonic blasts, buoyed by Itani's irregular accents and crashes, until Carrier bursts in for some invigorating tandem screams. The concert ends as it began, in conversational mode, relatively restrained, but with the distance between them much diminished as Carrier embraces abstraction and skronk, while Koketsu mitigates her extremes with nods to consonance.
It is a satisfying date which speaks to the universality of improvised music.
Track Listing
1. Uchi-soto (Inside Outside) 25:01 2. Kacho-fugetsu(Flower, bird, wind, moon) 14:26 3. Rakuyou(Falling leaves) 15:35 4. Ogose(Town Ogose) 08:30 5. Yuzu(Citron) 11:15 6. Kaze To Kumo Ni Noboru(Climb the wind and clouds) 03:27
Personnel
François Carrier
saxophone, altoMasayo Koketsu
saxophone, altoDaisuke Fuwa
bass, acousticTakashi Itani
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
François Carrier - alto saxophone Masayo Koketsu - alto saxophone Daisuke Fuwa - double-bass Takashi Itani - drums & percussion
Album information
Title: Japan Suite | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: NoBusiness Records
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About François Carrier
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
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