You Never Know
Circum-Disc, 2021
9/10
A pair of creative spirits who met in 2015, Paulina Owczarek and Peter Orins bring their alto saxophone and drumming prowess to a very distinct and exciting version of free jazz across these 5 adventurous tracks.
“What Might Happen” starts the listen, and offers a minimalist quality where strategic tinkering sounds and no shortage of ambience unfolds with an iconoclastic approach, and “How People Behave” follows with an equal amount of unpredictability that squeaks and shuffles before Owczarek’s soulful brass enters the building climate that ends up with swift drumming.
The middle track, “Oh Anything”, then might be the most bare, with soft drumming and raw, experimental noises, while “Three Rules That Live” quivers with bright sax and unusual jazz nods that you can’t help but admire.
“In The House Next Door” finishes the listen and offers both sparse moments of barely audible manipulation, as well as firm bouts of sax amid the thumping drums as the two interact with adventurousness.
Owczarek brings her improvisational and experimental background to these very curious compositions, and Orins’ artistic and inimitable drumming only adds that much more allure to this unusual and fascinating effort.
Travels well with: Peter Orins- VRTN & VBTRN; Adoct- Ouvre-Glace