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Sana Nagano — Anime Mundi
(577 Records 5919, 2022, CD / LP / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2023-02-17

Anime Mundi Cover art

On Anime Mundi, violinist Sana Nagano presents a new trio with pianist Karl Berger and drummer Billy Martin. Like many artists, Nagano took the enforced isolation of pandemic lockdowns to engage in improvisation with fellow musical travelers. She knew both Berger and Martin from Creative Music Studio, a New York organization that all three are involved with — Berger as a cofounder (with Ingrid Sertso and Ornette Coleman), Martin as Executive Director, and Nagano as frequent contributor. The three got together at Applehead Recording in Saugerties, New York on August 18, 2020, and let the ideas flow. Nagano has a set of electronic effects on hand to alter the sound of her violin, though she uses them somewhat sparingly, often electing a more natural sound. Her playing is at times sensitive and lyrical, and at other times manic and atonal. A full range of moods is explored, and there are many moments that seem almost as if they must have been composed. Berger’s work is similarly wide-ranging, sometimes settling into soulful chords, then sprinting off into chaotic flurries of notes. He also plays vibraphone on the lovely “Tears.” Martin is of course best known as the drummer of Medeski, Martin & Wood, but he is as skilled at free playing as he is at jazzy grooving — and both aspects are brought to bear on Anime Mundi. I really appreciate when an improvising drummer can span the worlds of pulse and freedom, and Martin provides a stellar example here. Sana Nagano’s regular Smashing Humans combo is still a going concern (and I hope to hear more from them sometime), but it’s great to hear a different side of her talent. Free improvisation can be a hit-or-miss proposition, and Anime Mundi is firmly in the “hit” column.

Filed under: New releases, 2022 releases

Related artist(s): Sana Nagano

More info
http://577records.bandcamp.com/album/anime-mundi

 

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