The gambit presented to the improvising musician is one that situates risk as the crux of musical creativity. While risk can be rewarded with moments of sublime beauty, it also leaves one vulnerable to a musical incoherence that can border on cacophony. The free-improvising trio represented on THROW DOWN YOUR HAMMER AND SING (consisting of Nate Wooley on trumpet, Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello and electronics, and Jason Roebke on bass) can hardly be accused of simply calling it in. Consisting of five ten-minute-plus tracks that blend sweeping glissandi and tonal washes with bursts of tiny harmonic gestures--from delicately scraped and tapped strings to spitting and hissing circuitry--this is an accomplished work by three highly-attuned and instinctual musicians on top of their game.|
Rovi