sable ep. |cONV28

If you're claustrophobic or don't like been forced into a corner, be forewarned. Ernesto Rodrigues's free jazz-like electroacoustic improvisions have been chararacterized as challenging and complelling - coming at you at an unrelenting pace from all directions. Challenging because it's not easy listening - compelling because it's forceful in its appropach. "Sable EP" is no exception. Dense improvised layers of acoutistic sounds, feedback, and abstract percussive textures create a thick wall of dense noise and drones which often contrast with more minimal, sparser moments. It took me several careful listens to fully appreciate this wonderful electroacoustic improvision, and now I'm cornered with no chance of escape. -LAJ- (Earlabs)

Esteemed netlabel Conv has really upped the bar with this release by Portuguese violinist Ernesto Rodrigues and Lebanese players Christine and Sharif Sehnaoui. Being previously familiar with Ernesto and his label Creative Sources, I had some preconception of what this performance might sound like. I have enjoyed many of Rodrigues' works, and cherished a healthy handful of Creative Sources releases, but for each one that I've loved there's been another mediocre recording that has done nothing but collect [digital] dust. However, in this world where it is people that make and listen to music, critique too often becomes the music. There are even some that say music is meant to be listened to. So with some skepticism, I press play, expecting to hear another pleasant sandy improvisation. I calm my mind, shut my mouth, and let Sable take control.
What’s the verdict? This piece knocked my socks off! Maybe it was the added presence of Christine and Sharif's energy that got Ernesto's European feathers ruffled. Maybe this is just one of those rare and beautiful times when the magic happens. Maybe I haven't the slightest clue what I’m talking about. But whatever the case my be, this improvisation is enthralling, a hectic and cluttered wash of dense sound spewing from each musician--almost as if they are competing to see who can fill up each inch of sonic space before the others take it.
Or, so it seems. The initial power struggle actually isn’t much of a struggle at all. They rarely step on each other’s toes, and within a few moments they’ve settled down into a subtle and enchanting sonic environment. Christine’s sax floats about the mix with angelic flutters, and Sharif abuses his guitar with scrapes and crinkles and crackles and such, while Ernesto holds the party together with the thick glue slowly dripping off of his violin strings. Occasionally the air clears, and the listener is given a momentary calm, but the energy quickly builds again as these enlightened players struggle to free themselves of their auditory burdens. This work is easily one of the best net releases of 2006. Don’t miss it. David Kirby (Earlabs)

If you're claustrophobic or don't like been forced into a corner, be forewarned. Ernesto Rodrigues's free jazz-like electroacoustic improvisions have been chararacterized as challenging and complelling - coming at you at an unrelenting pace from all directions. Challenging because it's not easy listening - compelling because it's forceful in its appropach. "Sable EP" is no exception. Dense improvised layers of acoutistic sounds, feedback, and abstract percussive textures create a thick wall of dense noise and drones which often contrast with more minimal, sparser moments. It took me several careful listens to fully appreciate this wonderful electroacoustic improvision, and now I'm cornered with no chance of escape. Larry Johnson