Mats Gustafsson - Ljubljana '2017

Tracks list

Congratulations to whomever conceived of this pairing of two improvised music
giants. Pianist Craig Taborn and saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, both born in the
great white north (so to speak), Taborn in Minneapolis and Gustafsson, Umeå,
in Northern Sweden. Both are original and distinctive improvisers whose paths
had never crossed until the 2015 Ljubljana Jazz Festival. Taborn, of late, has
been christened heir to the improvised piano chair of Keith Jarrett by ECM
records chief Manfred Eicher. This is evidenced by his releases, the solo
Avenging Angel (2011), in trio Chants (2013), and as a sideman to Roscoe
Mitchell, Ches Smith, Michael Formanek, and Chris Potter. The pianist is very
selective as to how he is heard on record and with whom he works. The highlight
of 2016 was his tour and recording with fellow pianist Kris Davis on Duopoly
(Pyroclastic). Gustafsson's approach may represent the flip side. True to his
DIY punk nature, his associations are various, fast, loud, and seemingly
out-of-control, playing in the garage-jazz ensemble The Thing, with noise artist
Merzbow, rocker Thurston Moore, with Peter Brötzmann, and his free jazz
ensembles Fire! and Nu Ensemble. He would sit in with Black Flag, if they were
still touring. Pairing these two artists is not so much about yin/yang or
push/pull, although there is a bit of tug and enticement to be heard here.
Taborn opens "The Eyes Moving. Slowly." with a loping Carl Stalling cartoon
sound and pulsing left hand notes to draw out Gustafsson's baritone saxophone
bark. Having done so, he proceeds to produce his version of energy jazz,
peppering and splashing notes with his right hand. Pairing these seemingly
disparate instruments and performers yields an amazing cooperation. Gustafsson's
signature slap-tongue playing and vocalizations serve to expand the
possibilities, and his ability to reign in the bedlam fits with the quieter
passages. This dilation and contraction works to the players' advantage with the
second cut, "The Ears Facing The Fantasies. Again." Taborn's percussive left
hand churns the improvisation as he brings the piece to a boil, pressing
Gustafsson to push his accelerator. The energy subsides one-third of the way
through for a bit of introspective sound. Fans of the saxophonist's solo work
will recognize Gustafsson's command of the obtuse baritone. He is able to coax
whispers and shouts, play amazingly fast and respond to the nimble fingers of
Taborn. The wow factor is quite high for this performance.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Mats Gustafson - The Eyes Moving. Slowly. (20:24) 
1.02 - Mats Gustafsson - The Ears Facing the Fantasies. Again. (17:41)

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