Alchemia

Alchemia signals a certain comeback to more traditional forms for master clarinetist Theo Jörgensmann. Recorded live in Krakow, Poland, in May 2006, this collaboration with the Oles Brothers rhythm section perfumes the aural air with scents of Ornette Coleman, David Murray, and Jimmy Giuffre. Agile and delicate as ever, Jörgensmann's playing covers a wide range of expression, from heartfelt tenderness in the clarinetist's "Giuffree" to a much cruder and harsh sound in his "Direction." Despite standing at opposite ends of the album's spectrum, these two pieces share a clarity of thought fans of Jörgensmann's music have known for quite some time now. This collaboration with the Oles Brothers (Marcin on double bass, Bartlomiej Brat on drums) goes beyond the simple decision to hire local musicians; in fact, the Oleses have penned the majority of the tracks included on Alchemia (three out of five), one apiece and one more together. The bass solo in Marcin's "Perrata" provides one of the album's highlights. The brothers' 19-minute "Menace" lacks a bit of direction, composition-wise, but sensitive improvising from all three musicians saves it from being a clunker. Truth be told, Alchemia is a filler-free free jazz album -- in the Coleman sense of the term -- a tightly focused one-hour set. ~ François Couture|