(Toronto/NY)
NICK FRASER drums TONY MALABY saxophones ROB CLUTTON double bass ANDREW DOWNING cello
“The lifeblood of free jazz can be found in musicians’ efforts to push beyond existing habits and practices. They court the danger of the unknown and unpredictable. To that end, drummer Nick Fraser decided to cross swords with NYC free jazz saxophone titan Tony Malaby. The result is an album of strong playing by engaged players matching wits in real time, weaving their sounds together to make a “whole cloth,” not separate threads. Group cohesion is one of the strongest qualities of the quartet’s music; how cellist Andrew Downing and bassist Rob Clutton synch up with Fraser’s tight looseness and Malaby’s sinuous motion is a marvel. From the knotty theme of
“Sketch #10” to the Ayler-ish, folk song-y “Sketch #12,” they play as one — a kind of four-armed jazz octopus, each limb moving separately, together. Malaby’s tenor and soprano saxes are rich and resonant throughout. This is outstanding music making from the first note to the last.” — Glen Hall, Exclaim!
