Louie Belogenis: Outer, Inner, Secret

Let's not call the music by the trio Terton dangerous. Because, although no one could be injured while creating it or listening to Outer, Inner, Secret, the path is precarious and unpredictable. Well, that is, if one is not a true believer. Let me explain. Terton in Buddhism refers to a person, in this case, persons, who discover and reveal ancient teachings at a spiritually efficacious time. For our purposes, the ideas or principles are passed on through sound via saxophonist Louie Belogenis, bassist Trevor Dunn, and drummer Ryan Sawyer.

Belogenis is a student of ancient sounds, and here we are referring to the music of Albert Ayler and John Coltrane. His earliest recordings in the 1990s with either Sunny Murray or Rashied Ali summoned the music of these forefathers, who themselves were Tertons. In recent times, Belogenis has remained on the path with the Flow Trio which includes Joe Morris and Rashid Bakr. Their previous release Winter Garden (ESP Disk, 2021) included guest Joe McPhee. He also released the stellar Blue Buddha (Tzadik, 2015) with Dave Douglas, Bill Laswell, and Tyshawn Sorey.

Like the above referenced recordings, Outer, Inner, Secret is freely improvised, or should we say capable of revealing more hidden teachings? Belogenis, Dunn, and Sawyer have previously released Twice Told Tales (DIW, 2003) along with saxophonist Tony Malaby. The twenty years between recording dates do not diminish the connection between these three artists. The interplay on these ten tracks is remarkable. Opening with some vibrato, Belogenis summons an almost spiritual call to prayer. Like Coltrane, there is a contemplative nature about this music, with Dunn's bass front and center on "Unconditioned," the tactile sense prevails. Even when Dunn picks up his bow on "Foretold" and "Arising" there is texture about the sound as Sawyer adds accents and Belogenis' roisterous saxophone takes flight. The busyness of "Transmute" contrasts nicely with the quiet sounds of "Embody" and the peaceful wish of "Dissolving." Let's just say the music is enlightening.