snobb
French bassist Jöelle Léandre is a true giant of European improvisational scene - she studied music in France and New York, got to know John Cage personally(recorded some his music as well), was deeply influenced by Anthony Braxton and Derek Bailey. Being a prolific musician,she is well know mostly among fans of improvisational music since many of her works are of very experimental nature.
"L' Histoire De Mme. Tasco",recorded live during two German concerts and released on Swiss hatART label,is her first album as Canvas Trio member. Two other members are violinist Carlos Zingaro and accordion and clarinet player Rüdiger Carl. Rhythmless trio of quite unusual for jazz instrumentation plays "chamber improvisation": music brewing European chamber tradition,Cage aesthetics,Derek Bailey's music freedom,Karl Orff almost Teutonic bombastic elements and touches of French urban sound.
Central album's composition 21-minutes long title piece is full of drama and requires attentional and repeatable listening. At the same time opener "Trio" is surprisingly catchy Orffian-like composition,rich in strings arrangements. Jöelle sings (wordless)excellent operatic voice on "Waspage","To Day And To Morrow" and in few more places - minimalistic sound,build with acoustic bass,viola and accordion fits perfectly for adding classic vocals.Music in whole sounds closer to "musique concrète" than to classic, Jöelle high energetic bass playing build intense, in moments almost brutal atmosphere.
Nervous and screaming "L'Âme Profonde" and melancholic,almost cinematic "Sag Mir Warum " closes this excellent album - complex,full of ideas and great founds,and quite accessible listening at the same time.
One of the best Léandre's work and perfect example of modern European improvisational music.