I N - T H I S - I S S U E :

Recent Recordings by Area Musicians

BY PAT SMITH

A  day near the end of summer. Long, late afternoon shadows extend their fingers across a pond. On the other side a boy is skipping stones. The stones fly from shadow to sun, shadow to sun.... With each new skip patterns of small waves cross previous configurations. Spectral highlights dance off the intersecting ripples. These were the first images that came to mind while listening to Close Embrace of the Earth [abzu recordings].

Lenni Bukowski (contra-bass, contra-alto, alto & bass clarinets, alto & baritone saxophones), Piotr Michalowski (alto & bass clarinets, baritone, tenor, soprano & sopranino saxophones) and Mike Khoury (violin) work so well together that it is hard to believe this is the group's first recording. Their compositions are thoughtful and introspective, easily giving way to reflective and at times brooding improvisational statements and conversations. The interplay between the three musicians shows a level of maturity uncommon for a group that has been together for so short a time. Each of the three displays time and again the ability to seamlessly drop out of conversation to pick up a needed thread of support, or just as easily leave a supporting role to pick up off of something heard from one of the other two. Equally impressive is the trio's attention to sound, tone and dynamics. And once again, here the interplay seems nearly flawless. Restraint with regard to a partner's need to be heard without straining seems to have been the order of the day.

Bravo! With Close Embrace of the Earth this trio reveals itself solidly in the tradition of the avant-garde.

At the time of this review it appears that Lenni, Piotr and Mike have no plans for another CD anytime in the near future. One can only hope that circumstances will change such that they will favor us with a second CD before too long.

Pat Smith is an Ann Arbor area poet and bassist. He also teaches in the jazz program at Michigan State University.