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Universal Indians: Nihil is Now
ByThis trio presents its own definition of contemporary freely improvised jazz: muscular, passionate, raw and intense music created on the spot, with no distinct leader and with tight, immediate and supportive interplay. The energetic and restless opener, "Schizo in the Park," shifts between expressive solos from the entire trioall informed by formative free jazz outfits by such leaders as pianist Cecil Taylor and saxophonists John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, and Peter Brötzmann}but already demonstrating clear, independent voices of their own. Dikeman's tone here is more urgent and confident than on his recently recorded trio with bassist Raoul van der Weide and drummer Klaus KugelAcross the Sky (Not Two, 2012)while Strøm and Østvang sketch a loose framework.
"Petropolitics" and "1096 DA" are structured as experimental, free streams of searching articulations and fragmented temperaments with total abandonment to sound, slowly fermenting into uncompromising, full-throttle eruptions. "1096 DA" possesses a tighter frameworkplayful interplay, evenfeaturing imaginative, colorful solos, with all three players employing varied extended techniques on their instruments. The ironic closer, "Dressed Like Cowboys," is folded in a relaxed pace, beginning with another muscular solo from Strøm. When Østvang and Dikemam join in, they expand the color palette with communicative, supportive and dense interplay.
Powerful, focused and compromised demonstration of free jazz.
Track Listing
Schizo in the Dark; Petropolitics; 1096 DA; Dressed Like cowboys.
Personnel
John Dikeman: saxophones; Jon Rune Strøm: double bass; Tollef Østvang: drums.
Album information
Title: Nihil is Now | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Stone Floor Records
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Universal Indians
CD/LP/Track Review
Eyal Hareuveni
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Jon Rune Strøm
All Included
Cecil Taylor
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Albert Ayler
Peter Brotzmann
Klaus Kugel
Nihil is Now