Daniel Sarid & Ariel Armoni: TR

The discography of Israeli pianist Daniel Sarid is quite small. His last recording, Cries of Disillusion, a collaboration with close friends/saxophonists Assif Tsahar and Ori Kaplan, and American drummer Bob Mayer, was released in 2001, after a a trio recording under his own name, Pearls of Peril, both on the Israeli Earsay's Jazz label. Now, as one of the three managers of the Tel-Aviv alternative club Levontin 7 (together with Tsahar), he's founded a club label and debuts it with recording in duet with a young fellow-Israeli, drummer Ariel Armoni.

The Hebrew meaning of this recording's title, TR, is search, and the sixteen short and improvised compositions (only one is more than five minutes) demonstrate this challenging duo's philosophy: no rules; fast and constant searching for a deeper form of mutual communication without lingering on structure, theme or rhythm pattern; and always being alert to avoiding any sort of repetition. Such an attitude demands quick decision-making and openness for the twists and pitfalls along the way, short and brief as they may be. Both Sarid and Armoni sound as though they enjoy playing in such predetermined and chaotic ambience.

Sarid's dense tone-clusters and Armoni's inventive, texture-based drumming suggest the clear influence of Cecil Taylor, especially the pianist's inspired duets with drummers from the European Free Improvisation scene such as Paul Lovens—Regalia (FMP, 1988)—and Günter "Baby" Sommer—Riobec (FMP, 1988) and In East-Berlin (FMP, 1989). But Sarid and Armoni are much more resourceful musicians. They can trace the Duke Ellington influence on Taylor; sometimes they are quite lyrical and minimalist, even referencing spare rhythm and blues or even children songs motives; and the chosen approach of sticking to short pieces promises constantly fresh and lively ideas. The two trio pieces with bassist Itamar Tzur retain the same method of operation, but while all three follow and respond quickly to each others' gestures, these two pieces promise a solid base for longer and deeper interplay in the future.

An inspiring and promising duet.