Derek Bailey, John Butcher & Gino Robair - Scrutables - Weight Of Wax - WOW04

Six years since his death, instant composition's original zen master has been busy in absence as usual, with a reissue of his superb 1983 solo Concert In Miwaukee, some newfound 1972 recordings of the Iskra 1903 trio, and this previously unheard late period gem, scratched out in Stockwell in 2000.

The Yorkshire yogi plays electric guitar here, snaking sustained hums over simpatico bustle from the saxophonist John Butcher and the percussionist Gino Robair, and sneaking round the back of the sound to tickle everyone unawares, like a naughty free jazz ghost. Pan walks abroad.
The string-stretching satyr of non-idiomatic improvisation is back. Again.

(4/12/11)