Hiljaisuus

Hiljaisuus by Kuzu
Bandcamp Link: Hiljaisuus

“Hiljaisuus (English transl. Silence) is a 2011 Finnish war docudrama film directed by Sakari Kirjavainen and set in winter and spring 1944, near the end of the Continuation War…the film details the life and times of the members of a specialized Finnish army unit, commanded by a priest, whose difficult and dangerous assignment is to recover dead soldiers from the front lines, prepare their often frozen bodies for burial, and deliver them to their hometowns and families for funeral and burial.”

I haven’t seen the movie, but Hiljaisuus does come at you like the opening scene of a particularly potent war movie, Chris Nolan’s Dunkirk comes to mind, about which WWII veterans sometimes remarked, “The movie was louder than the actual Dunkirk landing!”

Not for the faint of heart, Hailjaisus’ combination of Rempis’ take no prisoners Saxophone, Dorji’s aggressively nonchalant noise guitar, and Damon’s everything AND the kitchen sink drumming is one of the most enjoyable free releases I’ve listened to recently.

Two longer tracks, “Fontanelles 1” and “Gash” are divided by a shorter track, “Fontanelles 2”.

Fontanelles 1 opens with bowed cymbals from Damon, who is shortly joined by Dorji on a car crash guitar. Rempis joins, noir energy, and things seem to build to a wonderful climax at around the 6 minute mark, but they keep going, building tension and momentum, for the length of the the tune.

Fontanelles 2 could almost be considered “FreeBop” were it not for Dorji’s seeming perverse, and delightful, playing.

Gash, with Rempis picking up the Baritone Sax, is probably the most restful, of the bunch, though it does do some serious damage mid-way through, before it relaxes a bit before fading out to Damon’s percussion.

Anyway, if you want to get to work a lot faster than usual, Hiljaisuus is a great choice for driving music. Turn it up, especially as you roll into the parking lot, open your windows, and let your coworkers know who you really are.

#Hiljaisuus #Kuzu #DaveRempis #TashiDorji #TylerDamon #TodaysCommuteSoundtrack

2017-11-15 Worse for the Wear

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Worse for the Wear by Ballister.

Bandcamp Link: Worse for the Wear

Most recent release from Dave Rempis, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and Paal Nilssen-Love’s Ballister ensemble.

Energetic and eclectic free jazz from three great players recorded live at Constellation in Chicago. Sax, Cello, Percussion, and a little bit of electronics.

They say, “On this recording…Ballister’s trademark raw energy is tempered by a mix of introspective soundscapes and moments of quiet beauty…” I won’t disagree.

#TodaysCommuteSoundtrack #Ballister #DaveRempis #FredLonbergHolm #PaalNilssenLove #WorseForTheWear #CatalyticSound

2017-10-13 From Wolves to Whales

From Wolves to Whales

From Wolves to Whales by Wooley/Rempis/Niggenkemper/Corsano.

Bandcamp Link: From Wolves to Whales

Given the large Brotzmann-esque expressions of Rempis’ Ballister, it is interesting to listen to this album of quiet, small gestures. Or, well, quieter, smaller gestures.

Even percussion dervish Corsano keeps it on the restrained side of free.

Quite pleasant and enjoyable. The most interesting part is probably trying to identify which instrument is making which squeal, thump, or whirr. Plus, good song titles like, “Stand Up for Bastard” (Woo! Bonus points for King Lear Allusion!) and “Swinging’ Apoplexy”. 

#NateWooley #DaveRempis #PascalNiggenkemper #ChrisCorsano #TodaysCommuteSoundTrack #FromWolvesToWhales

2017-10-11 Slag

Slag

Slag by Ballister.

Bandcamp Link: Slag

While I was aware of the individual members of this group, (Dave Remis, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and Paal Nilssen-Love,) I didn’t know, until I read about a recent East Coast Tour, that they had a group together. Saxophones, cello, percussion, and electronics.

This is improvised music of the squonk-ey, squeal-ey, and occasionally tender sort. Quite pleasant and invigorating. I was more than a little sad that my commute ended before the album did, but am looking forward to the listening to the remainder on my trip home.

#TodaysCommuteSoundtrack #DaveRempis #FredLonbergHolm #PaalNilssenLove #Slag #Ballister