Joëlle Léandre

Featuring: Carlos Zingaro, Rüdiger Carl

1993 release ** "This trio, comprised of bassist/vocalist Jöelle Léandre, violinist Carlos Zingaro, and accordion and clarinet player Rüdiger Carl have, under the auspices of Léandre's inspiration, come together to create a musical mosaic under the guise of "chamber improvisation." These players take their cues from long developed practices like nuance, empathy and even a kind of sonic telepathy. Léandre, though most understated, is clearly the catalyst in making all things possible in this trio. All players have equal parts, as music itself is the greatest of equalizers. Although this is true, there are dominances, and Léandre dominates in the most inconspicuous manner possible. While seeking territory for her bowed bass to expand its own sonic range, she creates an elemental atmosphere both rhythmically and tonally for Zingaro and Carl to paint on and paint from. Her vocal entrances are both a surprise and astonishingly expansive. She cues her accomplices in polytonal fragments and phrases, illustrating that what the trio seeks as a commonality is a newer, more expressive language than any of the three can achieve on their own. Nowhere is this illustrated better than on the title piece, a five-part suite. Each movement carries a significant stylistic "heart," whether it is European classical music, cartoon music, jazz, or salon music. This heart is embroidered by each player in the ensemble to expand its capabilities by juxtaposing it against the music and improvisation found in the others in the suite. The result is a rich, tightly knit abstraction of colors, tones, and shapes, all previously unconsidered by the players. This is a fascinating and sometimes maddeningly intense recording that finally gives Léandre the due she so richly deserves."