Piero Bittolo Bon: Spell//Hunger

Saxophonist Piero Bittolo Bon is a versatile improviser, excelling across all styles of creative music.  His band mate of over a decade, the equally masterful drummer Andrea Grillini, is, like Bon, a restless experimenter. Together, they formed the genre-defying duo, Spell//Hunger. Their eponymous album consists of 11 spontaneous pieces that are more akin to abstract soundscapes than melodies with a "narrative" structure.

For instance, the two iterations of the title track feature a mellifluous chorus over percolating percussion. The first, "Spell//Hunger #1 -Pangolin Summoner," has a chant-like quality and hypnotic ambiance. Grillini's drumming brims with a primal spirituality while Bon's resonant saxophone has a mystical aura. The second, "Spell//Hunger #2 -Orytterop Catcher," has a similar construct, but Bon produces his repeating phrases with electronics rather than the saxophone. Grillini lets loose a more riotous rhythmic framework. The result is earthier and more urgent than the first version.

Rock influences make occasional appearances as well. On "Anus and Anthem," over Grillini's layered polyrhythms, Bon's amplified saxophone plays fragments of a power ballad. While on "Bite the Beaver," Grillini builds a steady cadence with dense, bottom-heavy beats within an electronics-heavy backdrop. Over it, Bon's sax weaves a scintillating song made up of poignant clusters of notes. It gives the duet an otherworldly dance club vibe.

There are also haunting, contemplative tunes on the recording. For example, "Ultra Silk" consists of long, languid saxophone lines that meander within an eerie, droning sonic terrain.

Grillini, initially, punctuates his colleague's extemporization with sparse yet steady beats. As the tempo of the performance increases, he lets loose thundering polyrhythms that drive and buoy Bon's refrains

Spell//Hunger demonstrates the impeccable camaraderie between the two musicians that allows their collective voice to be more stimulating than just the sum of their individual artistry. Although not for the unadventurous, this collaborative album is nevertheless both provocative and moving. It can make for a rewarding listening experience for those who are willing to surrender to its charm.