Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Peter Van Huffel's Callisto: Meandering Demons

Peter Van Huffel's Callisto: Meandering Demons

By Glenn Astarita
July 28, 2024
View read count

Peter Van Huffel

saxophone
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Van Huffel, the Canadian-born saxophonist and composer, has long been a force to reckon with in the avant-garde jazz scene. Known for his work with bands like Gorilla Mask and his various collaborations with other innovative musicians, Van Huffel has consistently pushed the boundaries of jazz, incorporating elements of free improvisation, rock and classical music. His previous albums, such as Boom Crane (Fresh Sounds New Talent, 2014) and The Scrambling Ex (FMR, 2015), displayed his fearless approach to composition and performance. With his latest project, Callisto, and their album Meandering Demons, Van Huffel continues to chart new territories, delivering a collection that is as intense as it is pioneering.

The saxophonist embraces a semi-free-flowing approach, perfectly capturing the essence of the music. Melodies twist and turn, propelled by the restless interplay between Van Huffel's burly baritone saxophone and

Lina Allemano

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Lina Allemano's piercing trumpet. Drummer

Joe Hertenstein

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Hertenstein throws rhythmic curveballs, keeping the listener guessing, while

Antonis Anissegos

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonis Anissegos's piano adds splashes of color with shimmering chords and electronically tinged textures. It is like a sonic game of hide and seek, where each player takes turns leading the chase.

The lack of a traditional bass line creates a fascinating sonic space, allowing Anissegos to take on a more melodic role, weaving in and out of the conversation between horns. While improvisation reigns supreme, there are moments of surprising cohesion. "Glass Sanctuary" is not just about chaos, it is about finding beauty in disorder. This piece shimmers with ethereal electronics and Allemano's reverb-drenched trumpet, creating a soundscape that feels both spacious and unsettling. It is like stepping into a haunted cathedral, where every note echoes with a ghostly presence.

"Rude Awakening" is a high-energy free-jazz romp, escalated by Allemano's fiery and jagged lines, illustrating the telepathic connection with Van Huffel. Their horns weave around each other in a dizzying display of virtuosity, perhaps leaving the listener breathless and exhilarated. It is as if they are engaged in a heated debate, with each instrument passionately making its point, yet somehow, they always find common ground.

"Transient Being" sees the ensemble lowering the temperature a bit via this daunting ballad, designed with creaky notes and EFX-treated soundscapes. It leads to budding intervals and an expansive pulse, evoking the eerie calm before a storm. The piece unfolds like a slow-burning drama, with each instrument contributing to the narrative, pulling the listener into its introspective depths. Meandering Demons is a testament to Peter Van Huffel's artistic vision. This album is a must-listen for adventurous music lovers who appreciate fearless exploration and intricate compositions. Callisto delivers a dynamic and immersive experience, highlighting their impressive skills and pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Meandering Demons; Ravenous Hound; Glass Sanctuary; Inter-Dimensional Planet Hopper; Rude Awakening; Transient Being; Barrel of Monkeys.

Personnel

Peter Van Huffel

saxophone

Lina Allemano

trumpet

Antonis Anissegos

piano

Joe Hertenstein

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Peter Van Huffel: baritone saxophone; electronics; Antonis Anissegos: electronics.

Album information

Title: Meandering Demons | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Clean Feed Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Silver Shadow
< Previous

The latest Aurora Clara, Mark Lettie...
Next >

Peter Van Huffel's Callisto Concerts

Sep 20 Sat

Callisto

Blue Bamboo Center For The Arts
Winter Park, FL

Support All About 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 make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.