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Euphorium_freakestra: Free Acoustic Supergroup

By Mark Corroto
July 5, 2023
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Euphorium_freakestra: Free Acoustic Supergroup

Thanks to pianist and director

Oliver Schwerdt

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Oliver Schwerdt, the Euphorium_freakestra is and always has been a glorious experiment in organized disorganization. The double CD Free Acoustic Supergroup is the ensemble's seventh release. Schwerdt's experiments began with the single disc ?al Ngai (Euphorium Records, 2004) and eventually the group's 3-CD Grande Casino (Euphorium Records, 2018). ?al Ngai included the guest artists Friedrich Schenker and

Gunter Baby Sommer

drums
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Gunter Baby Sommer. Other releases found the ensemble hosting musicians such as

Thomas Lehn

synthesizer

" data-original-title="" title="">Thomas Lehn,

Barry Guy

bass, acoustic
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Guy, and

Bertrand Denzler

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Bertrand Denzler, playing both acoustic and electric music.

Sommer is back for this outing, which also includes trumpeter

Wadada Leo Smith

trumpet
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Wadada Leo Smith, bassist

Barre Phillips

bass
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Barre Phillips, and spoken word artist Friedrich Kettlitz. Schwerdt has paired musicians by instrument, Smith with

Axel Dorner

trumpet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Axel Dorner, Sommer with drummer

Christian Lillinger

drums
b.1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian Lillinger, Phillips with bassist

Michael Haves

electronics

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Haves, the saxophonists

Urs Leimgruber

saxophone, soprano
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Urs Leimgruber and

Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky

saxophone, alto
b.1933

" data-original-title="" title="">Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky, and Schwerdt himself at the piano.

Free Acoustic Supergroup was captured at the 2009 Euphorium Festival in Leipzig. Like

Derek Bailey

guitar
1932 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Derek Bailey's Company Weeks, this free improvised collective draws musicians from across the globe with the countries Germany, Switzerland, and the United States represented. Kettlitz' elocution (in German) opens the discs, and it recalls the Dada and Futurist recordings of Kurt Schwitters and Richard Huelsenbeck. His spoken recitations are the introductions to various improvisations and appear to spark the subsequent improvisations. Although there are ten members of this Supergroup, each leaves plenty of space for their colleagues. For the most part, the music is presented in pairs, the same instruments—trumpets, saxophones, basses, and drums—in conversation or a cross pollination between a reed and a brass instrument, et cetera. Clearly, the musicians are listening to each other, and their deep concentration is apparent in the cohesive nature of this freely improvised music. Unlike many large free ensemble recordings, this does not devolve into chaotic hubbub. Even when all the musicians are engaged at once, there is a self-possessed cohesiveness to the sound.

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Track Listing

CD1: Free Acoustic Supergroup I Kantate, Pt. I: Im Strahlen Der Trabanten; Phore I (2-5): Spridriger Feuertunkel, Tafft!; Globalhirtenrider: Eyes & Gliss; Streichprafater, Zug Von Zungenstuhl; Graben Jetzt, Alle Auf Nach Stoirhondur, Neun Kleine Feten Geh��n��; Kantate, Pt. II: Versandete Trompeten; Phore II (7-8): Zarte Klaster Dr��ber Winde Steh'n (Quintett No. 1); Conference At Olli's (Black Music GDR); CD2: Free Acoustic Supergroup II Kantate, Pt. III: Am Baustrand; Phore III (2-4): Briedwaht, Kleiheuer, Stuff (Zeitungszeugen Lesen Heuer K?rner); 2 Trios In The Street (Microphistical Klee Der Raben); Throughout The New Mississippi Freedom Train, Mister Borgenthal Jumps Into The Rhythm Of Tastoraster In Gloria, Calms Down And Finally Vanishes; Phore IV (5-7): Chiclin Berago (Von Axelleo Da Schmidt-W?darner); Garten R��ben Oben, Stoirihondurando Zehn; Langer Brueder Feitendarm? (American Successfully Amplified); Kantate, Pt. IV: Klonkern, Wieder Ulmanach; Phore V (9-10): Morning Hours Without Rice, But Rice (Haschbender Russenkatze); End Of Night, Enlighted Days Beyond (The Golden Trio's Todeshymne); Kantate, Fin: Orgel-Laib Am Bein.

Personnel

Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky

saxophone, alto

Barre Phillips

bass

Michael Hayes

bass, acoustic

Christian Lillinger

drums

Gunter Baby Sommer

drums

Oliver Schwerdt

piano

Urs Leimgruber

saxophone, soprano

Axel Dorner

trumpet

Wadada Leo Smith

trumpet

Friedrich Kettlitz

vocals

Additional Instrumentation

Oliver Schwerdt: Percussion; Urs Leimgruber: tenor saxophone;

Album information

Title: Free Acoustic Supergroup | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Euphorium Records

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