Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Marc Edwards / Weasel Walter Group: Mysteries Beneath The Planet

Marc Edwards / Weasel Walter Group: Mysteries Beneath The Planet

By Glenn Astarita
June 11, 2009
Sign in to view read count

Marc Edwards / Weasel Walter Group: Mysteries Beneath The Planet

Led by avant, free-jazz drummers Marc Edwards and Weasel Walter, this ensemble pushes the envelope via a nuclear-like aerial assault that in some instances might signify a caricature of vintage, high-octane Albert Ayler fare. Nonetheless, the dual drumming attack serves as the foundation for the hornists' soaring lines, teeming with angst and a spiritual cleansing type approach. It's a sonic blitzkrieg that is not for the faint of heart.

"Luminous Predator," recorded at New York's The Lit Lounge, is akin to rhythmic punishment, offset by Peter Evans' wily melodica lines and saxophonists Darius Jones and Paul Flaherty's high-flying notes. Here, with Andrew Barker a third drummer, they drive this extended piece with maddening and unrelenting intensity, amid the soloists' boiling exchanges and perpetual motion.

"Book Of The Dead," is another extended improvisation vehicle recorded at New York's The Delancey, and features a different horn section, yet the results are largely similar across the board. Yearning saxophones align with a fearsome undercurrent, topped off with elongated phrasings, crazed chants and sheer sonic mayhem. Moreover, the frontline is seemingly emitting distress signals via the plaintive cries and pulsating, bombardments.

Edwards and Walter aim to rattle the mind and senses with these explosive jaunts into no-man's land. It's by no means tepid free-jazz and is an album that might upset the neighbors. Otherwise, the artists go for the proverbial jugular throughout this rather aggressive and implosive feast for the aural network.

Track Listing

A World Without Sun; Luminous Predator; Book Of The Dead; The Coral Reef.

Personnel

Marc Edwards

drums

Marc Edwards: drums; Weasel Walter: drums; Peter Evans: trumpet, melodica (1, 3); Darius Jones: alto saxophone (1, 3); Tom Blancarte: double-bass (1, 3); Paul Flaherty: tenor saxophone (1, 3); Andrew Barker: drums (2, 4); Ras Moshe: tenor saxophone, flute (2, 4); Mario Rechtern: sopranino, alto & baritone saxophones (2, 4).

Album information

Title: Mysteries Beneath The Planet | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: ugEXPLODE

< Previous
Take Five With B.D. Lenz

Next >
Trane Ear

Comments

About Marc Edwards

Instrument: Drums

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.