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Michael Formanek - Tomas Fujiwara - Mary Halvorson: Convallaria
ByThe album moniker refers to a sweet scented but poisonous plant. Regardless, this is a guitar trio exposition of a different color as they toggle between jovial encounters and ravenous dialogues. Subtle surprises abound. For example, on "Trigger," Halvorson's pensive opening statements are contrasted by drummer Tomas Fujiwara's tranquil toms pattern, leading to the guitarist's reverberating chord voicings and eerie electronics treatments. Essentially, it's a floating and somewhat bizarre dirge-like ballad.
At times the trio delves into punk jazz frameworks, eliciting notions of a Sonic Youth type attack. But "Tail of the Sad Dog features Halvorson's EFX, hazy distortion soundscapes and oddball phrasings atop an asymmetrical workout, tempered by Formanek's capacious passages. They build upon a simple oscillating motif, subsequently elevated into a pulsating exposition. And while there aren't a host of hummable pieces, the trio's dynamic inner-workings, crafty risk-taking maneuvers and discernable fellowship sustain a high level of interest.
Track Listing
Cleome; Sampsonian Rhythms; Trigger; Screaming Piha; Convallaria; Tail of the Sad Dog; The Cardinal and the Weathervane; Danse Insense; Spring Ahead; Inevitable.
Personnel
Michael Formanek
bass, acousticMary Halvorson: guitar; Michael Formanek: double bass; Tomas Fujiwara: drums.
Album information
Title: Convallaria | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Cuneiform Records
Comments
About Michael Formanek
Instrument: Bass, acoustic
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