Dead Dead Gang
Circum-Disc, 2023
9/10
A listen composed by the drummer Peter Orins and that takes inspiration from the 2016 novel Jerusalem, by Alan Moore, the 4 lengthy pieces here welcome Barbara Dang, Maryline Pruvost and Gordon Pym.
“Part I: Le Fond Du Bruit Normal De La Vie” leads the listen with a mysterious atmosphere that showcases Pym’s amplified objects and Orins’ very distinct drumming alongside Pruvost’s alluring voice, and “Part II: Le Piccolo Des Grossieretes” follows with Pruvost’s Indian harmonium making for much beauty and warmth amid the curious electronics that spread out over 15 minutes of unpredictable song craft.
The back half of the listen embraces Dang’s very intimate piano initially, before a very ambient approach enters that can be haunting, buzz playfully and uses talking and singing in atypical ways in “Part III: Prelude Infini”. The final piece, “Part IV: Up The Pub”, opens with a lower register and employs repetition strategically to complement Orins’ very precise drumming.
Orins has been active in the jazz scene since the mid ‘90s, and he brings a wealth of talent and experience to this avant-garde experience that flirts with minimalism and embraces the book’s sound universes, diversity of language and many poetic references for a highly artistic, iconoclastic journey.
Travels well with: Kaze & Ikue Mori- Crustal Movement; René Lussier- Au Diable Vert