Ivo Perelman and Elliott Sharp: Artificial Intelligence

Saxophonist Ivo Perelman has mastered the art of duets. In addition to multiple collaborations with pianist Matthew Shipp, in the third decade of the 21st century he released two box-sets of one-on-one recordings, the first with pianists and the second with other woodwind players. On Artificial Intelligence he is paired with composer and guitarist Elliott Sharp for an entirely improvised four-part set of provocative music.

The versatile Sharp, an experimenter par excellence, is immediately in sync with Perelman as the two explore ways to spontaneously express their shared creative vision.

Overall, the dialogue unfolds in crisp, often sparse, phrases carefully utilizing the silence in between for dramatic effect. In fact the ambience on this introspective album is quietly tense and electrifying. On "Four," for instance, Perelman's haunting honks and shimmering clusters of notes bounce off Sharp's folkish strums in an otherworldly melody with Appalachian hints. The saxophonist lets loose brief, wailing lines over the guitarist's percussive chords. Despite ample, yet delightful, dissonance, an incandescent lyricism marks the track.

The contemplative "One" makes up the centerpiece of the album because of both its length and breadth. Opening with effects, the tune has the features of a film soundtrack. Perelman's plaintive staccato tenor saxophone and Sharp's hypnotic string manipulations conjure up semi-abstract images of fantastical, nocturnal landscapes. At times Sharp enhances this cinematic effect with his electronics. The clash between its cool angularity and the organic dynamism of the saxophone leads to a thrilling and vibrant repartee. Perelman weaves warm, poetic lines within Sharp's, at times, forlorn and at others poignant and punch-like refrains. Passionate and riotous exchanges evolve coherently from the more serene, pensive passages and then fold seamlessly back into them.

Adorned with Perelman's minimalist watercolor which evokes the mood within, Artificial Intelligence is as brilliant as the title suggests yet lacks any artifice. It is a very emotive and cerebral extemporization which showcases the natural ingenuity of both musicians. Their synergistic approach makes their collective work more than the sum of their individual talents.

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