Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

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

Reviews

Tu-Ner — T-2 Tu-Ner for Lovers
(7d Media 7D2403, 2024, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2024-12-07

T-2 Tu-Ner for Lovers Cover art

The first Tu-Ner release was a 2CD set consisting of lengthy tracks — nine pieces, only one of which was under eight minutes in length. For their second album, we get 14 tracks, only two of which are over eight minutes. T2 Tu-Ner for Lovers is a document of the trio’s live shows in 2023, recorded at seven shows in August and September of that year. Trey Gunn, Pat Mastelotto, and Markus Reuter prove that they can produce concise and interesting improvisations in addition to the lengthy explorations of their debut, and for this listener, the result is much more enjoyable. Any listener familiar with the brand of improvisation that grew out of the 90s incarnation of King Crimson will be in familiar territory here. Mastelotto’s inventive drumming does much to keep things interesting; he’s got a vast arsenal of sounds both acoustic and electronic that he combines in creative ways. His most impressive skill is in playing parts that range far afield from anything that sounds like rock drumming while still keeping a level of energy and intensity that feels like rock. His unidentifiable metallic noises are especially effective here. With both Gunn and Reuter playing stringed instruments of extended range along with many electronic tools with which to modify their sounds, it’s essentially impossible to tell who is doing what, but it’s a continuous stream of creative sound-sculpting. There’s often a kind of wash in the background built up of loops and echoes, and sometimes it hints at a tonal center, though it’s often very ambiguous. There’s often a gritty bass part that works around and within the drums to provide propulsion. The other two factors involved are lead lines that could broadly be called melodic and noises that are just plain weird. The lead parts can be said to descend from Robert Fripp’s style, though not in a copy-cat way, and are processed with all manner of effects. As for the noises, they provide a constant source of interest for those who listen closely. This is one release of improvised music that sounds coherent enough to appeal to those who don’t generally like improv — provided they can get on board with the post-Crimson style. I find it more engaging than the group’s initial album.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Tuner / Tu-Ner, Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter, Trey Gunn

More info
http://tu-ner7d.bandcamp.com/album/t-2-tu-ner-for-lovers

 

What's new

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