TRACK LIST:
1. Tendru 4:49
2. Druten 4:15
3. Trosop 4:48
4. Tenchi 4:03
5. Sopcym 4:54
6. Drusop 4:51
7. Flobog 1:33
8. Norums 7:26
9. Filten 5:04
10. Iceflo 6:30
11. Tenket 5:23
12. Bleflo 3:51
13. Bleten 5:02
LINE UP :
Jacques Widmer - drums, percussion
Markus Stauss - saxophones, flute
Prolusion.
Swiss duo Widmer-Stauss consists of the musicians Jacques Widmer and Markus Stauss, with the former being a percussionist and the latter perhaps best known as a saxophone player. These two musicians worked together in various constellations throughout the 1980's, but then had a long spell where their paths didn't cross any more. A few years back the two rekindled their relationship, and one direct result of that is the album "Duos", which was released on the label Unit Records in 2019.
Analysis.
As one might suspect when reading the line-up and instrumentation for this album, this production isn't one that has any direct connections to progressive rock. Other than being of a distinct avant orientation, that is. But the foundation of this album lies inside the world of jazz, and in the more expressive corners of the free form variety of the style at that.
With two instruments used the music here isn't as chaotic and challenging as many free form productions involving more instruments and musicians can be, and quite a few of the pieces are actually rather approachable and in some cases fairly welcoming in nature. We get creations here with a more flow-oriented mode of delivery, some cases of distinct and likeable grooves established, and also a few cases where the instrumentalists opts to go for flat out minimalism rather than being full out expressive.
While we do get excursions where the expressive aspects have the full focus too, most of the material here resides somewhere in between the former and the latter here. Some combine a minimalist approach and delivery with a more expressive part, usually with a gradual development from the former to the latter, others will have a bit of an ebb and flow motion going between the approachable and the distinctly challenging. As with most albums I have encountered that explore a more free form orientation, this album is also a case of expect the unexpected, or at least expect that conventions and traditions will not be followed. This is unconventional music by default.
As both instrumentalists play with and use subtle details as well as more dramatic forays into the execution of notes and sounds, the recordings themselves have a high quality. All notes, sounds and reverberations have been captured in minute detail, and whatever care is needed to retain all the qualities in the production department have been used. The recordings are finely balanced too, and the placement of the instruments in the naturally sparse arrangements here is as good as it can be I suspect. In short, this album comes across as really well catered for in the mixing and production department, giving the instruments the life, space and room they need to provide all the necessary details for the listener.
Conclusion.
Free form jazz is a type of music I've never really managed to get into, hence the rating of this album. As usual with such productions I can hear the quality of the players involved, and I can hear that this is a well made production of its kind too. For those who tend to treasure free form and avant oriented jazz, and have a keen interest in a more sparse dual instrument variety of this form, this album should provide plenty of enjoyable soundscapes. In particular if the combination of saxophone and drums is one you tend to be intrigued by.
Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room
