Dave Rempis' Percussion Quartet: Sud Des Alpes

Recorded live in Geneva during the group's 15th Anniversary tour, Sud Des Alpes is the tenth outing from Chicago-based saxophonist Dave Rempis' Percussion Quartet. The band is one of his longest established outlets, boasting a consistent membership, with the drum stools occupied by Tim Daisy and Frank Rosaly since the first album in 2005, and just one bassist prior to current incumbent Ingebrigt Håker Flaten. More to the point, they continue to find new avenues to explore within their preferred habitat of unscripted free jazz excursions.

On three lengthy collectives (titled in response to a train stoppage en route to the gig by the usually punctual Swiss Railway) the foursome appropriately takes its time. The anticipated all-guns-blazing pay-offs still ultimately arrive in various guises, but a huge part of the fun is in how they reach those crescendos. After a low key atmospheric scene setting in which Rempis' alto saxophone multiphonics vie with Flaten's arco sawing, "There's A Jam On The Line" settles into a relentless juggernaut of primal shuffle, throbbing bass and wailing outpouring, as the leader once again shows that he is one of the most fluent avant-garde saxophonists out there, crafting asymmetric but well-balanced lines, always prone to surprising 90 degree turns, even at speed.

Unusually for someone so committed to unfettered exposition, whether by design or serendipity, Rempis slowly traces the outline of what sounds like the Art Ensemble Of Chicago's set closer "Odwalla,"( even though it is credited otherwise) as the launchpad for "Theme De Yoyo/Evacuation," where the most powerful incantation comes after decompression for a tappily inventive drum solo (likely Rosaly). On "Late Arrival" they take everything to cathartic extremes, starting with an unaccompanied raw explosion from Rempis, soon pummeled by careening bass and roiling drums, before a reflective, almost mournful coda of breathy lyric tenor saxophone.

It all goes to prove that there is no danger of this particular well of inspiration running dry, as the outfit maintains its exemplary standard.

Comments