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Previous collaborations between pianist Aki Takase
and bass clarinetist Rudi Mahall have resulted in
clever recapitulations of W. C. Handy and Eric Dolphy
tunes. The Dessert allows both artists the freedom of a
completely self-penned CD to present 17 pieces that
emphasize their delectable dynamics. On the
sweetest slices, piano and bass clarinet blend to create
music that straddles the line between unstructured
creativity and prescribed composition. The resultant
musical aperitifs, while symbolizing oral delicacies,
tickle the aural palate as well.
Takase's compositions are the most savory. The deliciously happy "Apple Cake" sets up
with precise playing and quick tempo changes while
"Panna Cotta" and "Crème au Caramel" are as elegant
and rich as their vanilla cream and delicate egg
custard gustatory counterparts. "Granatapfelsirup"
adds the flavor and color of grenadine syrup to the
mixture with its daring improvisational interplay.
Piano lines are classical in feel and accuracy, as the
polish of contemporary classical intermingles with the
spontaneity of jazz.
Mahall's playing, particularly on his own
compositions, blends in a bounty of random
ingredients. These short forays enable
the duo to be their most bold. The opening feedback
noise of "Ear in, Ear out" and the warm deep resonance
of "Black Pudding" demonstrate the range of Mahall's
instrument, while "Another Sausage Roll" boasts large
intervalic leaps that frame a catchy melody. The rarely
heard contrabass clarinet dishes up rarefied sounds to
help initiate the final, jointly composed four
numbers, "Anekdots 1-4." They serve to bring the
after-dessert conversation to an interesting conclusion. Both
humorous and daring, The Dessert is an adventurously
caloric addition to any musical diet.
This review originally appeared in the July 2003 issue of
All About Jazz - New York.
~ Elliott Simon
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Track Listing: 1. Head in, Head Out - 2:37
2. Apple Cake - 4:18
3. With Egg - 1:55
4. Panna Cotta - 4:33
5. Ear in, Ear Out - 3:34
6. Purity and Sweetness - 7:35
7. Another Sausage Roll - 2:10
8. Creme au Caramel - 5:47
9. Granatapfelsirup - 5:01
10. Voskresenie - 3:35
11. Raskaz - 3:28
12. Black Pudding - 1:59
13. Pirodjok - 2:58
14. Anekdot, No. 1 - 4:52
15. Anekdot, No. 2 - 3:28
16. Anekdot, No. 3 - 2:23
17. Anekdot, No. 4 - 3:04
Personnel: Aki Takase - piano;
Rudi Mahall - bass, Eb, and contrabass clarinets.
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