Alien Skin
Mahakala, 2022
8/10
Chad Fowler (stritch, saxello) leads this sextet, where Zoh Amba (tenor saxophone, flute), Ivo Perelman (tenor saxophone), Matthew Shipp (piano), William Parker (bass) and Steve Hirsh (drums) are on hand for an improvised affair that recruits a very distinct energy that’s highly unpredictable.
“Occupation Day 2” starts the listen with adventurously bowed bass, as strategic keys enter the initially calm setting that erupts into squealing sax and furious drumming in its 19 minutes of wildness, and “In Pairs” follows with the keys and brass interacting in fascinating, sometimes bare gestures that, at the end, builds into giant swells of avant-garde jazz-rock.
The title track occupies the middle spot, and meshes keys, brass and drums into a firm, oddly rhythmic album highlight, while “Sentient Sentiment” finds a soulful place to reside, where bouts of controlled chaos are met with gentle ebbs of reflection. “Broken Language” exits the listen with its bursts of fragmented spontaneity mixed with playful piano and sparse drum fills.
A collaboration that was documented on their 2nd day together, the stars aligned for the 6 to be in the same place for the journey, and if it never happens again, we at least have these 5 unorthodox, raw and sometimes ballad-like gems to embrace.
Travels well with: The Art Ensemble Of Chicago- Tutankhamun; Christopher Parker & The Band Of Guardian Angels- Soul Food