review

pd conception - reviewed by jazzwise

A review of the recent album "phrased silence" has been published in the reknow magazin jazzwise.

open quoteThis double CD by an adventurous twentysomething Norwegian duo/trio could just possibly convince you that the future doesn't necessarily belong to Jamie Cullum. Pianist Clauder and percussionist Evensen recorded the first disc as a series of one-take improvisations in London. Clauder is clearly an aficionado of the prepared or detuned piano; this could be John Cage's prepared piano mixed with Cecil Taylor, while Evensen, a former student of the mighty Audun Kleive, clearly relishes exploring the extremities of his kit as well as playing in time. These nine pieces, amusingly titled by someone just diddling with a computer keyboard, are a refreshing reminder that young musicans are still exploring new languages in jazz. It's an album that wouldn't sound amiss on ECM. The second disc consists of 're-compositions' of the pieces recorded on the first disc, by Evensen and boffin Tveit in a studio in Oslo. All three are also working in electronic music was well as free jazz, and the 're-compositions' are virtually unrecognisable from the acoustic versions. At times the spooky washes of sound are reminiscent of Gavin Bryars' 'The Sinking of the Titanic', at others the tape-generated babble of Cage and Subotnick, maybe even the great Karlheinz and his roaring 'Telemusic'. But these are young turks working with new technologie and new approaches, and probably taking a few ideas from radical turntablist Martin Tétreault. The before/after effect of the accoustic set is fascinating, and certain to rinse out your ears. open quoteAnd if you ever hid behind the couch from the sound effects to 'Forbidden Planet', just watch out for disc two.

Download the jazzwise review as PDF file.

February 2004