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Sounds of the mystical Orient and the more assertive Western world clash head-on when the Natto
Quartet ignites. Philip Gelb, an extremely versatile and resourceful shakuhachi player, and Shoko
Hikage, an astute proponent of the ancient koto, contribute the Eastern sensibilities that flow well
beyond the cultural borders of their instruments’ roots. On the Western front, pianist Chris Brown and
electronics specialist Tim Perkis provide the 21st century impetus to sustain the transformation.
Together, the California-based quartet becomes an exploratory team intent on establishing a new
world order where improvised creativity is the sole determinant of beauty, even if that beauty is in its
earthiest form.
Each artist plays a distinctive role in forming this free collective. Gelb’s shakuhachi arsenal
consists of instruments of varying lengths that alter the pitch and cover a wide tonal range. He
shows absolute dominance over the difficult reeds. Gelb has taken the shakuhachi out of the
meditative field and has plunked it squarely into the improvising arena, where his originality is
continually on display. Brown takes a fully unstructured approach to his reconnaissance mission.
His approach from
inside and outside the piano combines aggressiveness with thought-provoking development of
logical freeform sequences. Brown’s playing erupts with physicality, although his forcefulness is
always under control and able to be abated at will.
Tim Perkis is a wizard on the electronic controls. He bends and twists tonal centers while always
maintaining a musical stance devoid of sheer noise or static elements. This inventiveness in sound
production makes him an exceptional contributor to this group. Hikage blends spirits of the past into
this strongly flavored brew. Her blunt, interruptive statements reverberate and rebound against the
reams of chilling improvisations encircling her. She straddles dual cultures with aplomb and makes
her instrument sing out emphatically.
While collective interaction is at the heart of the music, the performers also spin off in engaging
partnerships, which in turn inspire spontaneous contributions from the others. For example, Gelb
spars gingerly with Hikage, encouraging Perkis to enter wrapping electronic impulses around the
stark but strangely soothing output. Brown listens intently and interjects jabbing comments for
emphasis. And so it goes throughout the recording, with each dual encounter leading to profound
group interpretation. Instruments that are centuries apart in origin and light years apart in concept
find a common ground for promoting unity. The Natto Quartet effectively marries these divergent
influences, producing music for our time.
Visit www.482music.com.
~ Frank Rubolino
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Track Listing: Miso (3:15) / Soba (4:22) / Yuba (6:49) / Nuka (6:57) / Kukicha (10:07) / Sake (6:24) / Mochi (9:14).
Personnel: Philip Gelb-shakuhachi; Shoko Hikage-koto; Tim Perkis-electronics; Chris Brown-piano. Recorded:
August 12, 2002, Sausalito, CA.
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