Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Natsuki Tamura Quartet — Hada Hada
(Libra 104-008, 2003, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2003-08-01

Hada Hada Cover art

Tamura is a trumpeter and (at least on the few records this writer has heard) one of Japan’s leading free-jazz protagonists. This one is a little different, though, clearly moving further out in a more snarly and aggressive avant-garde and experimental direction, fully electrified. Technically I suppose this is still free-jazz, but way out there on the edge now, where sounds are often processed, distorted and mutilated beyond recognition. Imagine something like Miles Davis in the middle of a wild and frenzied acid freakout with sounds coming in from every direction, all colliding with each other somewhere inside your head, and you’re halfway there — at least for tracks like “Mazore,” “Incident,” or the title track. The nine-minute “Sateto” tones it down a little, while remaining true to the overall experimental spirit. Also in the quartet are guitarist Takayuki Kato, who spends the better part of his time just making jarring sounds and experimental textures, and just about anything but conventional guitar playing. Likewise, Satoko Fujii — whose instrument is normally piano (check out her albums Minerva or Bell the Cat, reviewed elsewhere in this issue) is featured here exclusively on synthesizers, mostly creating dense walls of effects and textures, but occasionally going for something remotely melodic. Drummer Takaaki Masuko is a riffing madman from the first second of the first cut to the end, fitting in perfectly with the proceedings. Not for the faint of heart, but certainly a satisfying adventure for the intrepid explorer.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 27, 2003 releases

Related artist(s): Satoko Fujii, Natsuki Tamura

More info
http://natsukitamura.bandcamp.com/album/hada-hada

 

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.