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  Circuit (Dunmall / Taylor / Gibbs) 
  Electro Acoustic Ensemble
  (FMR) 


  
   review by Matt Schulz
  2019-06-17
Circuit (Dunmall / Taylor / Gibbs): Electro Acoustic Ensemble (FMR)

Circuit here is a UK ea-improv trio utilizing many sources, with vibes and skittering guitar runs co-mingling with a clarinet and other string sounds, electronics chiming, growling and processed into slower/faster moments that sometimes spin out of control. It's a lot of sound generated by 3 men. Sound events appear and immediately morph into nothingness with the only cohesive element being change. The sonic makeup is virtuosic on all levels. Speed is also a common denominator, as notes flurry past.

Track two of the five untitled tracks is slower paced somehow, regardless of the velocities employed by the players. Track 3 begins with seriously haunted tones, reversed as muted reeds make spectral appearances. Bells chime and guitar scurries about in the shadows. The piece develops as the lines become longer and more pronounced. Drums begin adding to the clamor in a tight exchange between horn, guitar, and percussion unfolds. A frenetic improvisation ensues, again using velocity and dynamics as a vehicle. The pace finally lets up to make way for meditative, held notes with some mallets and processed sounds thrown in for good measure. Track 4 could be the soundtrack to a deep 70's sci-fi film, with flute tones held over from the previous decade colliding with futuristic treatment. The guitar is present as well, as if the whole track is being filtered, triggered by the flute's action. The final track is similar but I could have sworn I heard 2 seconds of Alice Coltrane there, at least her sensibilities.

This record is full of surprises and a lot of fun to listen to. Seek it out.







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