Release Date: 24 February 2017
Label: EFPI Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5070000037165
Genres: Jazz Avant-garde
Description
"Weird, angular music for saxophones, only" - that's how London-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Tom Ward likes to describe his work with his Madwort Saxophone Quartet.
The foursome of Chris Williams (Led Bib, Let Spin) on soprano and alto; Tom himself (Adam Fairhall, Porpoise Corpus) on alto; Andrew Woolf (Choro Matiz, The Button Band) on tenor; and Cath Roberts (Sloth Racket, Quadraceratops) on baritone have been playing together since 2012 and release their debut album 'Live at Hundred Years Gallery' on Efpi Records.
Tom cites the influence of Tim Berne, Steve Coleman, and the ROVA saxophone quartet amongst others, combined with inspiration from retro comics, nature and mathematics (Tom is also a computer programmer alongside his playing and composing). With no rhythm section, the compositions on the album explore the concept of saxophone as percussion instrument - each instrument playing interlocking sparse rhythmic patterns for example, as opposed to melodic lines or harmonised chords.
The aim is for whichever musicians are currently in a support role to collectively extemporise or improvise their "comping" behind those in a foreground role; of course a very normal thing for a rhythm section instrumentalist to be asked to do, but unusual for a saxophonist performing in a composed context.
Tracklisting
Tullis Rennie
Beats & Pieces Big Band
Johnny Hunter Quartet
Let Spin
Richard Jones Trio
Silence Blossoms
Quadraceratops
Let Spin
A Bigger MOUTH
Barry Guy
John Zorn
A.M.E.N
Savina Yannatou, Floros Floridis, Barry Guy & Ramon Lopez
Weird Of Mouth
Paul Dunmall & Kevin Figes
Kevin Figes & Julie Tippetts
