Continuing in their tradition of exploring the possibilities found at the intersection of jazz, improvisation, and electronic music, Space Genetics—the duo of Paul Scea and Eric Haltmeier—present their latest release, Volume 4. With each of their previous three releases exploring various perspectives of interactions between woodwinds and computers, Volume 4 presents eight compositions and improvisations that examine the ways in which electronic and acoustic improvisations play against a wide variety of rhythmic textures.
The solid pulse of 'O.E.V.', driven by electronic drums and melodic synthesizer improvisations, introduces the album. The club-like intensity of the track is short-lived, leading toward two tracks that, while maintaining pulse and momentum, shift the focus away from a groove and toward their surrounding improvisations. 'El Gran Palenque', a Scea original that first appeared on his 2007 BluJazz release, Contemporary Residents, begins with a meditative rhythm that meets with flurries of electro-acoustic percussion bursts. An electronically affected saxophone solo writhes its way around an angular restatement of the main theme. '8 Bones' further deconstructs a groove with a glitch- influenced rhythm that works in dialogue with pointillistic sampled trombone and fragmented synthesizer chords.
'Classic Journey' and 'I.D.R.' show the influence of serialism and 20th/21st century art music textures as heard through the use of spiking string samples and detuned piano. Intentionally asymmetrical drum patterns shift the focus of the surrounding bass lines and obscure a sense of repetition in the groove. Both pieces serve to examine the possibilities and commonalities that may emerge in the gray area that lies between the recital hall and the electronic music club.
Rhythmic grooves wind through 'Ciremil Tap' and 'Shevoh Fumay' which, while insistent, never culminate in the club-like intensity found earlier in the album. Both tracks prominently feature Scea and Haltmeier on woodwinds against more ambient textures of slurring organ lines, digitally-altered electronic bells, and guitar-like rumblings.
An edgy electronic ambience establishes the outset of 'Jork' which is followed by Haltmeier’s soprano saxophone and Scea’s alto flute. The emergence of acoustic bass lends an optimistic tone to the dialogue. A gentle groove and a final angular saxophone outburst winds the track and Volume 4 toward a peaceful conclusion.
Space Genetics Volumes 1, 2, and 3 are available from bandcamp.com.
Space Genetics Volume 4 is available for download from iTunes and Amazon.
Paul Scea is the Director of Jazz Studies at West Virginia University. His recordings with the Grismore/Scea Group and Damon Short are critically acclaimed.
Eric Haltmeier is Director of Music at the Pingree School in South Hamilton, MA. He has performed with the Car Music Project and the duo “Stop Correcting Me" with Wilbo Wright.
The solid pulse of 'O.E.V.', driven by electronic drums and melodic synthesizer improvisations, introduces the album. The club-like intensity of the track is short-lived, leading toward two tracks that, while maintaining pulse and momentum, shift the focus away from a groove and toward their surrounding improvisations. 'El Gran Palenque', a Scea original that first appeared on his 2007 BluJazz release, Contemporary Residents, begins with a meditative rhythm that meets with flurries of electro-acoustic percussion bursts. An electronically affected saxophone solo writhes its way around an angular restatement of the main theme. '8 Bones' further deconstructs a groove with a glitch- influenced rhythm that works in dialogue with pointillistic sampled trombone and fragmented synthesizer chords.
'Classic Journey' and 'I.D.R.' show the influence of serialism and 20th/21st century art music textures as heard through the use of spiking string samples and detuned piano. Intentionally asymmetrical drum patterns shift the focus of the surrounding bass lines and obscure a sense of repetition in the groove. Both pieces serve to examine the possibilities and commonalities that may emerge in the gray area that lies between the recital hall and the electronic music club.
Rhythmic grooves wind through 'Ciremil Tap' and 'Shevoh Fumay' which, while insistent, never culminate in the club-like intensity found earlier in the album. Both tracks prominently feature Scea and Haltmeier on woodwinds against more ambient textures of slurring organ lines, digitally-altered electronic bells, and guitar-like rumblings.
An edgy electronic ambience establishes the outset of 'Jork' which is followed by Haltmeier’s soprano saxophone and Scea’s alto flute. The emergence of acoustic bass lends an optimistic tone to the dialogue. A gentle groove and a final angular saxophone outburst winds the track and Volume 4 toward a peaceful conclusion.
Space Genetics Volumes 1, 2, and 3 are available from bandcamp.com.
Space Genetics Volume 4 is available for download from iTunes and Amazon.
Paul Scea is the Director of Jazz Studies at West Virginia University. His recordings with the Grismore/Scea Group and Damon Short are critically acclaimed.
Eric Haltmeier is Director of Music at the Pingree School in South Hamilton, MA. He has performed with the Car Music Project and the duo “Stop Correcting Me" with Wilbo Wright.
