The Squid's Ear
Writing about improvised, contemporary, experimental and unusual music,
following the activities of Squidco...
  •  •  •     Join Our Mailing List!

The Squid's Ear
Facebook: Squidco Sales



Heard In

Reviews of artist releases:
cd's, books, magazines, &c.


  Christoph Gallio / Dominic Lash / Mark Sanders 
  Live At Cafe Oto London
  (ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records, Ltd.) 


  
   review by Massimo Ricci
  2024-08-05
Christoph Gallio / Dominic Lash / Mark Sanders: Live At Cafe Oto London (ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records, Ltd.)

London's Cafe Oto has in recent years become a hub for musicians looking to push creative boundaries in front of an audience, or just ride the wave of a transient hype. Unquestionably belonging to the former variety, the trio of Christoph Gallio (soprano, alto and C-melody saxes), Dominic Lash (double bass) and Mark Sanders (drums and percussion) ventured there on December 18, 2022, recording the five tracks that now shape this album. Though labeled as "compositions" on the cover, the three parts of "Wildlife" and the two of "Homelife" exude a feel of recurrent eruption informed by elements of free jazz, with no shortage of soloing.

Speaking of jazz-related anatomy, Gallio's multi-dimensional modus operandi showcases his gutsy self through the pitches, phrases and out-and-out squeals emanating from the reeds, now and again straying from the trodden paths of commonly intended "free". Gallio's sonic globetrotting despises genres, connecting the tumultuous energy of outbursts filled with brutal, but never vulgar affirmations, and the relative quietness of less fiery atmospheres (or, if that's the case, spurts of melodic hiccupping).

In a semi-anarchist mask, Sanders approaches the percussive landscape like a seasoned artisan, energetically sculpting beats, accents and rhythms akin to sensibly carved woodwork. He turns the components of swing into a mosaic of fragments that twirl and shift awkwardly, and wonderfully. Sanders' improvisational instinct deftly balances order and chaos, gifting us with a rather complex rhythmic perspective.

Complementing this canvas is Lash's wise bass, its earthy tones resonating with a grounding force that infuses the interplay with a sense of depth and vigor. Via the vibrancy of plucked lines, bowed harmonics and genuine growls, Lash juxtaposes pictures of sheer class and rebellious spirit, challenging conventions while paying homage to the ones who came before, eliciting subcurrents that pulse with measurable intensity.

Ultimately, Gallio, Lash and Sanders' synergy melds three distinct voices into an amalgam of structured logic and dismemberment of meaning that defies categorization. Their alliance evokes unrest and refinement in equal doses, superimposing no-nonsense audacity, impressive upsurges, and reciprocal respect. This music stands as a testament to the trio's unrestrained inventiveness.







Comments and Feedback:



The Squid's Ear presents
reviews about releases
sold at Squidco.com
written by
independent writers.

Squidco

Recent Selections @ Squidco:


Kim Jae Jung:
Shamanism
(Relative Pitch)



Joe McPhee/
Susanna Gartmayer/
John Edwards/
Maria Portugal:
Monster
(Klanggalerie)



Signe Emmeluth/
Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten/
Axel Filip:
Hyperboreal Trio
(Relative Pitch)



John Butcher/
John Edwards:
This Is
Not Speculation
(Listen! Foundation (
Fundacja Sluchaj!))



Izumi Kimura/
Lina Andonovska/
Dominique Pifarely:
Seven Dreams
(Listen! Foundation (
Fundacja Sluchaj!))



Jerome Deupree/
Sylvie Courvoisier/
Lester St. Louis/
Joe Morris:
Canyon
[2 CDs]
(Listen! Foundation (
Fundacja Sluchaj!))



Marc Baron/
Eric La Casa:
Contrefacons
(Swarming)



Francisco Lopez:
Untitled (
2021-2022)
[2 CDs]
(Bu Lang Tribute Cake)



Eventless Plot |
Haarvol:
The Subliminal Paths
[CASSETTE + DOWNLOAD]
(Innovo Editions)



Akmee:
Sacrum Profanum
(Nakama Records)



Karl Evangelista Quintet
feat. Bobby Bradford and
William Roper:
Solace Angles
(Asian Improv)



Sveio:
Latent Imprints
(577 Records)



The Sleep Of Reason
Produces Monsters (
Rasmussen/
Mitelli/
Rezaei/
Koenig):
The Sleep Of Reason
Produces Monsters
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)



Dan Brown/
Dan Reynolds:
Live At
The Grange Hall
[unauthorized][CASSETTE]
(Sacred Realism)



Matt Mitchell:
Sacrosanctity
(Obliquity)



Das B (
Mazen Kerbaj/
Mike Majkowski/
Magda Mayas/
Tony Buck):
Love
(thanatosis produktion/
Corbett Vs Dempsey)



Das B (
Mazen Kerbaj/
Mike Majkowski/
Magda Mayas/
Tony Buck):
Love
[VINYL]
(thanatosis produktion/
Corbett Vs Dempsey)



Mary Halvorson Septet:
Illusionary Sea
[2 LPS]
(Firehouse 12 Records)



Darius Jones:
Legend of e'Boi (
The Hypervigilant Eye)
[VINYL + DOWNLOAD]
(Aum Fidelity)



Irene Schweizer/
Rudiger Carl/
Johnny Dyani/
Han Bennink:
Irenes Hot Four
(Intakt)







Squidco
Click here to
advertise with
The Squid's Ear






The Squid's Ear pays its writers.
Interested in becoming a reviewer?




The Squid's Ear is the companion magazine to the online music shop Squidco !


  Copyright © Squidco. All rights reserved. Trademarks. (17765)