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The Rempis / Daisy Duo & Guests: Dodecahedron

By Mark Corroto
June 21, 2018
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The Rempis / Daisy Duo & Guests: Dodecahedron

Saxophonist

Dave Rempis

saxophone
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Rempis and drummer

Tim Daisy

drums
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Daisy have been performing together in Chicago for decades. Their voices have been heard in

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Vandermark's Audio One, Resonance Ensemble and The Vandermark Five, Triage (with Jason Ajemian), and their own projects, Rempis' Quartet, The Engines, Percussion Quartet (with

Ingebrigt Håker Flaten

bass
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Ingebrigt H?ker Flaten and

Frank Rosaly

drums
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Rosaly) and Daisy's Celebration Sextet and Fulcrum Ensemble. More recently, they can be heard in trio with the exciting new pianist

Matt Piet

piano
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Piet. If the bill has one or the other musician headlining, chances are good you'll hear the other in support.

Dodecahedron is the pair's third duo recording, and it follows Second Spring (Aerophonic, 2014) and Back To The Circle (Okka, 2005). Both discs are taken from live performances. Disc one is made up of three duets between Rempis and Daisy, while disc two adds a third guest on each of its nine tracks.

Trying to report on the free improvisations of the saxophonist and drummer (more correctly called "percussionist") is much like recounting, pitch-by-pitch at bat, between Corey Kluber and Anthony Rizzo. So much is happening, yet the nuance can be appreciated by listeners on multiple levels. Daisy approaches the drums more like

Paul Lytton

drums
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Lytton than

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones. He has rhythmic language with patterns and cadences all his own. That said, his expression is always crisp and inviting. The deep dive the pair take on the nearly 30 minutes of "EIKOSI" ranges from a contemplative meditation to a flat-out free jazz workout. The pair have worked together for so long, nothing feels like it is stitched together.

Adding guests on disc two is akin to adding different seasonings to a stew. As a consequence, Rempis and Daisy shift from pitch and catch to the baseball game of pepper. The two tracks with trombonist

Steve Swell

trombone
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Swell ramble between call-and-response bursts and quiet passages. The same is true for the encounter with pianist

Jim Baker

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Baker. Their energy dance on "BDR I" is contrasted with "BDR II," and with Aaron Zarzutzki on "DRZ," where an open-ended electronics exploration colors the sound. Cellist

Fred Lonberg-Holm

cello
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Lonberg-Holm continues the pattern on two tracks by applying a hushed give-and-take on one and a more aggressive throwdown on the second. Rempis and Daisy are always game, ready to adapt to their environment. Maybe the highlights here are the encounters with vibraphonist

Jason Adasiewicz

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Adasiewicz and bassoonist Katie Young. Both musicians draw out a mystical aspect in their respective collaborations.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

CD1: EIKOSI; ZWANZIG; DVADESET; CD2: DRS I; DLHR I; DRZ?; BDR I; DRY; ADR; DLHR II; BDR II; DRS II.

Personnel

Dave Rempis / Tim Daisy

Dave Rempis: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone; Tim Daisy: drums; Jason Adasiewicz: vibraphone; Jim Baker: piano, electronics; Fred Lonberg-Holm: cello; Steve Swell: trombone; Katie Young: bassoon, electronics; Aaron Zarzutzki: electronics.

Album information

Title: Dodecahedron | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Aerophonic Records

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