An unusual sax and drum duo between Lithuanian saxophonist Liudas Mockunas, here performing on contrabass and prepared clarinet, tenor & soprano saxophones, with Christian Windfeld performing on prepared drum kit, drums, drums and cymbals, in two side-long improvisations, the first focusing on sonic subtlety, the second a rompingly idiosyncratic and energetic set.
Limited edition vinyl. 300 numbered copies signed by the visual artist. Original artwork by Neringa Zukauskaite. Each cover a unique piece of art, linocut/monotyp printed by hand.
Format: LP Condition: New Released: 2021 Country: Lithuania Packaging: LP w/ hand numbered linocut art Recorded at Improdimensija/Mama Studios in Vilnius, in May, 2018, by Arunas Zujus and Vytautas Bedalis.
Personnel:
Liudas Mockunas-contrabass and prepared clarinet, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
"Lithuania saxophonist - here on contrabass and prepared clarinet, tenor and soprano saxophones - is a musician with many faces, ranging from the powerful free jazz of "Kablys" over the melodic and sensitive excursion with pianist Petras Geniusas, to the angular free improv with Barry Guy on "Lava". On Pacemaker he demonstrates yet another side of his art, now in the company of Christian Windfeld on prepared drum kit, drums, drums and cymbals. Windfeld is a Danish musician whose minimalst art tries to explores the full possibilities of one single instrument.
Each side of the vinyl album presents one long improvisation, the first a quietly and slowly developing atmospheric piece in which both instruments play around and explore stretched notes and subtle variations on silence. Windfeld takes the lead by setting the tone of the piece, with Mockūnas cleverly exploring the percussive possibilities of his wind instruments, by having repeated staccato blows or in contrast lengthening his voiceless release to harmonise with the bowed cymbals or rubbed skins. Only occasionaly does his sax get its full voice and the effect is stunning against the minimalist backdrop. The second piece is introduced by Mockūnas with a melodic soprano solo that gradually invites the percussion in, and once on board, the tempo and the intensity increase for a short welcoming embrace, only to return to a more minimalist soundscape built around silence, after which the baton is handed back to Windfeld for a percussion outro, giving the piece a mirror effect.
The LP comes in a limited and numbered edition, but is also available digitally. "-Stef Gijsels, Free Jazz Blog
Limited edition vinyl. 300 numbered copies signed by the visual artist. Original artwork by Neringa Zukauskaite. Each cover a unique piece of art, linocut/monotyp printed by hand.