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The Cry — The Cry
(Bandcamp Gizeh GZH105 , 2023, CD / DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2023-09-14

The Cry Cover art

French Ondist Christine Ott is involved in quite a few different projects from solo efforts to collaborations. Her latest project is The Cry, the trio of Christine Ott (Korg MS20, Ondes Martenot, and piano), Mathieu Gabry (Roland Juno 6, effects, Clavia Nord Stage, and piano), and Peirre-Loic Le Bliguiet (drums and percussion). They performed together on November 29, 2022 for a live set of improvised psych, jazz, and avant-garde music. Christine and Mathieu also perform and record as Snowdrops, as well as Theodore Wild Ride. The album opens with the 21-minute “Fire of Love,” an improvisation based on the movie of the same name that Christine and Mathieu had viewed a few days before. The movie is a fascinating documentary about volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, their overwhelming  love for each other and for volcanoes. They travelled the earth, photographing and filming volcanoes, magma, and eruptions, including some film that has been used multiple times in movies, etc. What The Cry performed as a tribute to this intrepid couple is an opus of pulsating waves of sonic magma, throbbing subterranean rhythms, and searing textures the ebb and flow, metamorphosing through low register piano ostinatos, psych rock textures, and sweeping glissando electronic washes. The tension builds as the temperature rises. Will this sonic pressure cooker erupt into a cataclysmic ending? No, we are saved as the pressure recedes and the music fades. Each of the other six tracks is unique and explores different sonic textures and emotions, a testament to the creative improvisation skills of these three seasoned musicians. I particularly like “Chorus Alpha,” a quite ambient piece with tentative electronics, scraping sounds, and low-key percussion that slowly builds with visceral bass sounds and serpentine playing that reminds me of Tangering Dream’s early cosmic explorations, ala Zeit. But don’t get me wrong, the rest of the album is just as strong and interesting. Highly recommended for fans of avant-garde rock fusion.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): Christine Ott, Theodore Wild Ride, Snowdrops, The Cry

More info
http://christineott.bandcamp.com/album/the-cry

 

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