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The Founder Effect Signals That Treader Is Alive And Well!
ByWilkinson/Thomas/Noble/Coxon
The Founder Effect I
Treader
2013
On the trilogy, only four players are involved, all of them well-established stalwarts of the British improv sceneguitarist and keyboardist Coxon, drummer Steve Noble, keyboard player (and Treader veteran) Pat Thomas and saxophonist Alan Wilkinsona highly promising line-up. On the opening disc of the trilogy, Coxon plays electric guitar while Thomas confines himself to synthesiser. The album's two tracks are both extended piecesforty-five minutes in totalbut otherwise the two contrast sharply. The opener, "Weight" begins with screeching electronic tones that are soon matched by high alto notes from Wilkinson, creating a wall of noise that is softened somewhat by the arrival of guitar and stuttering sax then evolves into a passage of restrained exchanges between the four which gradually intensifies, with Wilkinson as the high-energy driving catalyst.
That rollercoaster start typifies the piece which features the players equally; although Wilkinson's saxophones repeatedly bubble to the surface, he is not favoured unduly. As so often, Noble frequently commands attention, but even when he doesn't he is at the heart of the music driving it along. The piece remains unpredictable as any one of the four can suddenly take it on a previously unsuspected tangentunpredictable but certainly full of fun and thrills. With "Weight" having reached a storming, sax-driven climax, the transition into the second track "Sharpen" signals a shift to a lower gear and a mellower mood but no drop in the quality or excitement leveljust a different kind of excitement. It does not remain subdued though, and gradually builds to a breathtaking, full-on peak before subsiding to a controlled closing passage. Compared to the opener, the players' restraint gives the piece greater structure, making it more engaging, less edge-of-the-seat stuff. Altogether, an exciting way to open the trilogy.
Wilkinson/Thomas/Noble/Coxon
The Founder Effect II
Treader
2013
With a generosity of spirit that is touching, the three tracks on this disc are titled after deceased (and much missed) improv heroesdrummer Tony Marsh, saxophonists Lol Coxhill and John Tchicai. (Coxhill never recorded for Treader but Marsh and Tchicai both did.) That gesture serves as a reminder of the close-knit nature of the improv communitya factor which is vital to its music.
Although this CD features the same four musicians as the first one, Coxon here plays synthesiser instead of guitar and Thomas plays piano instead of synth, radically changing the quartet's sound and dynamics. Right from the opening chord, the presence of the piano makes the music feel more structured. Coxon uses the synth in a similar way to Thomas, to add coloration and emphasis; apart from occasions in "Tchicai" he hardly dominates or takes the spotlight.
Noble and Wilkinson play similar roles to before, both still being very impressive on their Treader debut. Although this is a quartet of four equals, theirs tend to be the quartet's dominant sounds, repeatedly attracting attention, particularly on the brief "Coxhill" which at times verges on becoming a duo. Their extensive experience together in their long-standing trio with bassist John Edwards has obviously tuned them in to each other's playing habits and they react accordingly, to the benefit of the whole quartet.
Thomas/NobleThe Both
The Founder Effect III
Treader
2013
Excellent as the two quartet discs are, the trilogy saves its ace to the end, thus bringing it to a fitting climax. (Despite that, it is worth stressing that this trilogy should best be heard altogether, rather than one of its discs being cherry-picked.) The pairing of Thomas's piano and Noble's percussioncredited as "The Both"is an ideal match. The two had recorded together before, on And (Rectangle, 1997) with Derek Bailey, but with Noble on turntables not drumsan encounter that gave no hint of what was in store here...
For forty-five minutes, across six pieces, the two engage in an animated dialogue that ebbs and flows back and forth between them. Thomas is a very percussive pianist who can frequently pound out block chords with great gusto, to great dramatic effectas at the climax of the opener, "Da Da." Noble is a melodic percussionist for whom the sounds he is making seem as important as his rhythmsas he demonstrates on the track "The Both" with a stunning solo centred around some typically exquisite cymbal work. All of their exchanges form a thrilling and varied ride, with periods of great delicacy and detail interspersed with adrenalin-charged peaks. We must hope their adoption of a duo name signals that we shall be hearing more from The Both. Soon, please. An excellent end to a trilogy to treasure. Yes, Treader is back and in fine fettle...
Tracks and Personnel
The Founder Effect I
Tracks: Weight; Sharpen.
Personnel: Pat Thomas: synthesiser; Alan Wilkinson: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone; John Coxon: electric guitar; Steve Noble: drums.
The Founder Effect II
Tracks: Marsh; Coxhill; Tchicai.
Personnel: Pat Thomas: piano, synthesiser; Alan Wilkinson: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone; John Coxon: synthesiser; Steve Noble: drums.
The Founder Effect III
Tracks: Da Da; Action We Play; A Googly For Your Thoughts; The Both; Last But Won; LoL.
Personnel: Steve Noble: drums; Pat Thomas: piano.
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Wilkinson/Thomas/Noble/Coxon
Multiple Reviews
John Coxon
John Eyles
United Kingdom
London
Ashley Wales
Treader
Steve Noble
Pat Thomas
Tony Marsh
Lol Coxhill
John Tchicai