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Iskra 1903: South on the Northern
ByAs the album and track titles indicate, South on the Northern was recorded at gigs in pubs in LondonBalham and Clapham Common are both southern suburbs of the city which lie on its underground system's Northern line, while The Bedford and The Sun were the pubs in question. Both gigs were captured on analogue audio cassettes by Wachsmann, but the music on the discs does not betray that fact, with the sound quality throughout being exemplary and revealing every essential detail but no extraneous noise.
Right from the first notes, the music confirms that the gap in the group's discography had nothing to do with a drop in the quality of their music in that period; individually and collectively the three players are all at the same high standard they displayed on Chapter Two (Emanem, 2007), which documented their 1983 UK tour, and Frankfurt 1991 (Emanem, 2001), the title of which speaks for itself. In typical fashion, the sound of Rutherford's trombone constantly commands attention, as he sings songs full of drama, emotion and pathos through it. The gentleness and lightness of his playing makes the music defy gravity and belies the stereotypical reputation of his instrument. Suffice to say that when he and Wachsmann trade phrases it feels as if the trombone and violin were made to be played togetherthe most natural pairing imaginable. This is most evident in passages where they are at their most restrained and poignant.
Similarly, the three players make the combination of trombone, violin and bass (plus understated electronics) seem entirely logical, and the absence of drums an irrelevance; their music has its own irrefutable logic and pulse, dictated by nothing but the three of them, their interactions and reactions to one another. The quality of their music never wavers, so they maintain an impressively high standard throughout. Altogether, this is two and a half hours of the best improv available. Stunning.
Track Listing
Balham Bedford 1; Balham Bedford 2; Balham Bedford 3; Balham Bedford 4; Clapham Common Sun 1; Clapham Common Sun 2; Clapham Common Sun 3.
Personnel
Paul Rutherford: trombone; Philipp Wachsmann: violin, electronics; Barry Guy: double bass, electronics.
Album information
Title: South on the Northern | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Emanem
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