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Konstrukt: Molto Bene

By Mark Corroto
February 23, 2017
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Many listeners still cannot fathom the concept of Turkish free jazz. Consider though, the origins of free jazz both in North American. The United States claims

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane,

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman,

Sun Ra

piano
1914 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Sun Ra,

Albert Ayler

saxophone, tenor
1936 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Albert Ayler, and

Cecil Taylor

piano
1929 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor. But let us recognize that Europe produced

Evan Parker

saxophone, soprano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Evan Parker (England), Bengt Nordstr?m (Sweden),

John Tchicai

saxophone
1936 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">John Tchicai (Denmark), Peter Br?tzmann (Germany), and

" data-original-title="" title="">Han Bennink (The Netherlands).

Moreover, consider Ayler spent many years in Sweden, Coleman performed with the Master Musicians Of Jajouka, Taylor's lengthy residency in Berlin, and, of course, Sun Ra wasn't even a citizen of this planet. So, to pinpoint the provenance of free jazz to one locality is antithetical to its history. Further proof is Konstrukt, which could be considered one of the finest working free jazz units in the world. But don't take just one critic's opinion. Read the list of musicians that have traveled to record with this band,

Joe McPhee

woodwinds
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe McPhee,

William Parker

bass
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">William Parker, Peter Br?tzmann,

Marshall Allen

saxophone, alto
b.1924

" data-original-title="" title="">Marshall Allen, Evan Parker,

Akira Sakata

saxophone, alto
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Akira Sakata,

Thurston Moore

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Thurston Moore and

Keiji Haino

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Keiji Haino, all heavyweights of this music.

Molto Bene is the band's tenth release since 2014. The ensemble has established their bonafides and as such can now release music without a 'special' guest and Molto Bene may be their most accomplished recording. Saxophonist Korhan Futac?, guitarist Umut ?a?lar, bassist Barlas Tan and drummer Berke Can ?zcan open the session with the zurna, an Eastern folk wind instrument, and the medieval gralla blown over rattling percussion and steampunk electronics. As the piece progresses, ghostly voices akin to those heard on

Albert Ayler

saxophone, tenor
1936 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Albert Ayler's "Spirits Rejoice" recording are heard in tandem with fevered saxophone. Konstrukt plays with a discernible accent, that of Last Exit with strains of

Peter Brötzmann

woodwinds
1941 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Br?tzmann's energy. Noted is their nod to Alarm (FMP, 1983). Their injection of electric bass and keyboards heightens the free jazz energies.

The lengthiest piece, "Toi Toi" serves up some bubbling

Bill Laswell

bass
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Laswell-like bass over extraterrestrial guitar and spacejam. The music is halfway to becoming a dub jam. Hint, somebody remix this. The brief (3 minute) "Anjio" closes the disc with a squawkingly satisfying noise jam.

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Track Listing

Mercan; Alarm; ToiToi; Anjio.

Personnel

Konstrukt

various

Korhan Futac?: tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, gralla, flutes, voice instant loops; Umut ?a?lar: guitar, micromoog, electric piano, zurna, gralla, flutes, tape echo, rhythmbox; Barlas Tan ?zemek: electric bass, bass synthesizer; Berke Can ?zcan: drums, electric drum module, percussion.

Album information

Title: Molto Bene | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Holidays Records

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