Dive into the world of avant-garde jazz with Joëlle Léandre's "MMM Quartet - Live at the Metz' Arsenal," a captivating live album that pushes the boundaries of improvisational music. Recorded in 2009 and released in April 2012 under Leo Records, this album is a testament to the raw, unfiltered power of collective improvisation.
The MMM Quartet, featuring Joëlle Léandre on double bass, Fred Frith on guitar, Alvin Curran on electronics and piano, and Urs Leimgruber on soprano and tenor saxophone, delivers a dynamic and unpredictable performance. The album consists of two extended tracks, "Part One" and "Part Two," spanning a total of 52 minutes. Each track is a journey through a landscape of sound, where the quartet explores a wide range of musical territories, from free jazz and krautrock to experimental and avant-garde.
Joëlle Léandre, a renowned bassist known for her virtuosic arco lines and lyric-less vocal chants, leads the quartet with her distinctive style. The interplay between the instruments is nothing short of mesmerizing, with swarming convergences and fleeting counter maneuvers that create a sense of urgency and spontaneity. The electro-organic program is scrappy and unearthly, with sub-themes emerging, disappearing, and morphing into new forms of expression.
"Live at the Metz' Arsenal" is not just an album; it's a live document of a unique musical event. The energy and immediacy of the performance are palpable, making it a standout release in the world of avant-garde jazz. Whether you're a seasoned jazz enthusiast or a curious explorer of experimental music, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
