Recorded in the resonant space of Santa Lucia alle Malve, this is a wide open and sat times cavernous sounding duo encounter featuring the Trevor watts-inclined soprano of Mimmo exchanging ideas with multi-instrumentalist Iriondo.
The latter gets some paino and electric guitar effects going from his koto, occasionally adding some electronic grit to the mix as well (though it’s a bit perfunctory and unispiring on “Nostos Algos”), as Mimmo patiently extrapolates ideas and hews together lines or long tones.
The contrast between studied relative cool from the saxophonist and rambunctous noise –making( string scrapings, preparations, or even some unsetting heavy breathing on the title track) from Iriondo is a enjoyable one.
Sometimes you can hear stomps and thuds around the church interio, which makes for a nice effect, as does the bird-calls from both players on “Barn Swallows”.
Somehow, though, the quality that came through most clearly( on “Several Calls” in particular) was of an almost aquatic effect that recalls the Tony Oxley- Alan Davie partnership.
An interesting and idiosyncratic record.
Cadence talks about Your Very Eyes
Jason Bivins