New York drummer Jim Black's multinational quartet, which toured Europe in 2015, is captured in the studio for an album of acoustic-electric improvisation that experiments with tunes and structures, using Elias Stemeseder's keyboards and Black's samplers in unexpected ways around strong playing from saxophonist Oskar Gudjonsson and bassist Chris Tordini.
Format: CD Condition: New Released: 2017 Country: Switzerland Packaging: Jewel Case Recorded at Water Music, NJ, on March 25th and 26th, 2016, and August 20th and 21st, 2016, by Gabriel Bento.
"Malamute is Jim Black's latest gathering of like-minded musical souls. The band toured Europe for the first time in May 2015 performing sketches of the music to be, experimenting with different ways songs and structures could be recombined to reflect on each of their musical voices, distilling a band sound from their chemistry. One year later Malamute went into the studio with new compositions and arrangements recording their debut album. Based upon the idea of mix tapes and playlists, the music changes every few minutes, a sort of "short attention span" approach to improvisation and composition that keeps the listener engaged."-Intakt
"Jim Black's approach to his drums could be compared to a lit match being dropped on a pile of dry papers. The whole kit ignites, shooting sparks and flames in all directions. But instead of engulfing its surroundings, Black's attack always supports and even elevates his fellow musicians. Following last year's piano-trio outing The Constant, the drummer assembled Malamute as a more electric outing, with 13 tracks, all six minutes and under, that straddle the line between frenzy and tranquility.
The group came to be as a way for Black to play with Icelandic tenor saxophonist Óskar Guđjónsson. Elias Stemeseder, who played acoustic piano on The Constant, returns on electric keyboards. Chris Tordini, better known as an upright bassist, switches to electric bass for the session. Throughout the album, an alluring contrast is created where Black's propulsive drumming and Stemeseder's wild keys create a rollicking bed for Guđjónsson's relaxed, warm tenor tone. With Tordini holding it all together, the proceedings often sound like Stan Getz dropping by a Soft Machine session.
Black's writing covers a wide swath of musical colors as well, exploiting his bandmates' incongruities for the greater good. Melodies often morph and reshape within a four-minute framework. "Just Turned Two" starts with a keyboard blast that evokes shortwave radio static, followed by Tordini frantically strumming a bass part that threatens to turn the song into droning pop. "Sought After" almost sounds like postmodern noir, with double-stop basslines and Guđjónsson's slinky tone finally building up to a raucous climax. But as on most of the tracks, it's Black and Stemeseder who collapse, while the tenor burns slowly."-Mike Shanley, JazzTimes