New Releases On Between The Lines Records
Alon Nechushtan: Ritual Fire
Jackson Pollock made "Action Painting" well known a while back, and he became one of the most important painters of the 20th century. This art form considers improvisation to be a pivotal element in painting. Color is often not applied with a brush, but drop by drop, for example, sometimes applied to the canvas directly from the can. Simple materials and techniques result in amazing results. In spite of this, it is not at all dilettantism, but instead is done based on comprehensive knowledge of all set structures and techniques. But they are just not satisfied with set structures. "Action Suite" by the pianist Alon Nechushtan pursues similar considerations. Based on virtuoso mastery of musical instrumentation and with a clear idea of what music pieces created in free improvisation should express, a number of precious pieces are created – and these grow together into an overall work of art. Free improvisation in this sense is the opposite of lack of prerequisites. To the contrary: It only works if each single member of the band contributes all of his expertise, experience and skills into a mutual work networked internally. That is what accounts for the extraordinary fascination of "Ritual Fire": Inner concordance of the musicians that has become rare that makes the free improvisation seem to listeners as if it were composed.
Releasedate: 26/04/2013read more!
Homepage: www.musicalon.com
Timucin Sahin Quintet: Inherence
On his second CD at Between the Lines (following 'Bafa', BTLCHR 71221, 2009), his influences and ideas can be heard again, which range from his intensive studies of south Indian music and the harmonics of Ornette Coleman to his enthusiasm for rock bands from Led Zeppelin to Van Halen They are not used for cliché-type copies, but instead are very subtle. You have to listen very closely to understand the stories that Sahin tells. However, if you let yourself be drawn into them, you are captivated and fascinated by the intensive tales full of details as well as by the sudden twists, the careful build-up of tension due to unusual harmony sequences and then again the free association of dominating embellishments.
Releasedate: 01/02/2013read more!
Homepage: www.myspace.com/timucinsahin
Peter van Huffel's Gorilla Mask: HOWL!
A mixture of hard rock, jazz, grunge, metal and lots more, but for which there are no terms. That sounds very urban and natural, intellectual and emotional, structured and free at the same time. And never boring.
Releasedate: 02/10/2012read more!
Homepage: www.petervanhuffel.com
Yitzhak Yedid: Arabic Violin Bass Piano Trio - Suite In Four Movements
Yedid composed the new work in Australia, where he has lived for the past few years, and it was first performed in Henry Crown Symphony Hall (Jerusalem) in March 2010. As with classical music by composers from Europe and the western hemisphere, it is meant to be heard in one sitting; the fields of tension, which the suite creates, are only developed then: between East and West, between classical and modern music, between the religious and the secular, and between composition and improvisation. And as little as the conflict in the Middle East dissolves into thin air, that is how little the tension of the music is dissolved and resolved. A challenge for listeners, who remain questioning and searching at the end, but neither without hope nor baffled.
Releasedate: 31/08/2012read more!
Homepage: www.yitzhakyedid.com
Jeff Denson: Secret World
Colors, structures and pictures that touch him emotionally: these are the initial sparks that inspire Jeff Denson when he composes new pieces. They form groups around him and consolidate into an imaginary "Secret World". Sound for sound and harmony for harmony, his pieces are created from this imaginary point. At the end, there is a work that entices the listener to enter into Denson's world. The listener encounters the inspirations there, which once triggered the compositions: a waterfall here, a sunset with all of its bright, shimmering colors, autumn leaves there, and forests covered in mist. Of necessity, an unadorned groove or a simple melody line does not suffice to go along with that, and the restriction to one style or genre is doomed to failure. As a result, the mosaic of the "Secret World" is composed of the colorful pieces that jazz and contemporary classical music, R&B and Blues, pop music and old chamber music supply. This is touching, powerful music, which develops a magnetic attraction.
Releasedate: 27/04/2012read more!
Homepage: www.jeffdenson.com