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Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio: Clustrophy
ByThe tunes represent quite a cavalcade of moods and arrangements, let alone instrumentation. This is partly the result of Innanen's own interest in pushing the sonic envelope of his instruments beyond any standard in order to express his extraordinary range of tonality. Live performance sees the band performing on everything listed on the coverwhistles, toy clarinets, keyboard, drums and, of course, a broad range of saxophoneas well as a small sack of empty tin cans, which are occasionally hit, dropped or even thrown willfully around the stage. The message is that this is music on the cusp of performance art, of which, when taken very seriously, seems to be just one of Innanen's many jests.
The source of such an array of sound is Innanen's vision, but in a band which now features three saxophones, the role of Seppo Kantonen's keyboards is critical to that vision. Along with drummer Joonas Riippa, this inner trio forms the core around which their leader's compositions orbit. Kantonen possesses a remarkably broad electronic palette, from straightforward bouncy keyboard bass to the full spectrum of computer generated psychedelia. In the process of composition, as in performance, his multicolored backdrop or accompaniment plays a key role in characterizing the nature of this bandsupremely experimental within a clearly structured approach.
As an album, the overall effect may be uneven, but it's a long a varied trip, as on "Vraa-Tender," a play on raw/tender contrast and location in Denmark where it was composed, or "A Panoramic View from the Top Floor," where periods of minimalistic calm evolve into a teasing cacophonous madness, before Innanen throws in a deft and semi-familiar lick to stop things from spinning right out of orbit. Sweden's Fredrik Ljungkvist, and Germany's Daniel Erdmannoriginally guests but now fulltime membersare cut from Innanen's same experimental cloth, having both swum in the deepest free waters that northern Europe has to offer. Their roles are definitely subordinate, with Innanen taking all composer credits save one (and two shared with the trio), but they do more than simply reinforce his intention to explore the saxophone's furthest limits of sound and composition.
Like his first album, Paa-da-pap (TUM, 2007), where second saxophonist Timo Lassy broadened Innanen's palette, this is an album of fun but not frivolity. The musicianship and recording quality are both immaculate, though on this disc Kantonen's soundscapes are set for the heart of space as opposed to the previous, live disc's variety of pace.
Track Listing
Earth´s Second Moon; Vraa-Tender; Clustrophy; A Panoramic View from the Top Floor; Underground; The Grey Adler Returns Again; Ardennes at Dawn; Jantaraboon II; Detto the Magician; 757; Jam Afane.
Personnel
Mikko Innanen
saxophoneMikko Innanen: alto, baritone and soprano saxophones, Indian wooden clarinet, percussion, whistles, toy instruments; Fredrik Ljungkvist: tenor and sopranino saxophones, clarinet; Daniel Erdmann: tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones, toy clarinet; Seppo Kantonen: synthesizers; Joonas Riippa: drums, percussion, pocket trumpet.
Album information
Title: Clustrophy | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: TUM Records
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About Mikko Innanen
Instrument: Saxophone
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