Saturday 29 August 2015

Akira Sakata and Konstrukt - Kaishi: Live at Kargart

I am pretty sure you are not allowed a 'curious music' blog without throwing in the occasional free-jazz record, and this one is a veritable corker. A live collaboration between saxophonist Akira Sakata and Konstrukt, the album comprises four parts taken from a single session in Istanbul earlier this year. What makes this so refreshing is that, whilst it retains the wayward nature of free-jazz, it manages to eschew much of the noisier elements of the genre, with swathes of almost funky bass permeating the erratic drums and horn howls. Closer to Albert Ayler than Peter Brötzmann, the work sprawls dementedly over the 15 or so minutes of each part, but does so with palpable form - even at it's most free, the work oozes an over-riding structure and clarity, however abstract. It's also surprisingly melodic, with extended almost Prokofiev styled riffs running through a mist of tape echo one minute, only to be followed by psyche-inspired arabic sequences the next, rendered on a bed of intricate percussion. Add in some monkish throat singing, and a flirtation with drone, and it adds up to a wonderfully engaging take on a naturally difficult genre.

Limited to just 200 copies on double vinyl, you can get it here - http://www.holidaysrecords.it/


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