Gush - Live in Tampere

[Steve Reynolds]

recorded 11/3/96 live at the Tampere Jazz happening, Pakkahuone, Finland

Gush is:

Mats Gustafsson - tenor & soprano saxophones, flutephone
Sten Sandell - piano & voice
Raymond Strid - drums


more direct and free jazz like than the trios with Guy (Mouth Eating Trees.... & You Forget to Answer)

two long improvisations (38 & 19 minutes) with intense energy surfacing throughout, although there is plenty of light and shade. Stendell is a fine pianist - and Strid is a great drummer/collaberator for Mats

The first extended intense improvisation is on soprano - and the breathy playing, vocalizing & his various extened technique are all well served - and all are done organically - and the detail and concentrated effort of Gustafsson's playing is, as usual, of the highest order.

highly recommended, espcially if you are a fan of the saxophonist

[gnhrtg]

I have "Live at Fasching" but not "Live in Tampere" - should snag it up while I can, I guess. Been some time since I last listened to "Live at Fasching," though I remember it as being fairly successful in sustaining interest.

Sandell, although my familiarity with his music doesn't go that long back, is (imo) more than a "fine pianist" - especially when "fine" is put into context of the superlatives you routinely employ.

[Steve Reynolds]

due to the instrumentation (sax-pianp-drums), I am immediatly drawn to compare Sandell to von Schlippenbach & Taylor - so I think "fine" might be the apt description. I don't know that he is so impressive here - seems to be provide at most "pleasing melodic interludes" more than "compelling interactive improvisations" on this recording

fact is I am more intrigued by his occasional "vocalizing" than I am by the piano playing

[al j]

Gush is group improv, but I like them so much more for Sandell, and especially Strid, rather than call their stuff anything special from Gustafsson.

[gnhrtg]

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

I am immediatly drawn to compare Sandell to von Schlippenbach & Taylor - so I think "fine" might be the apt description.

Fair enough, Steve (by the way, do check your private messages when you feel like it).