"Live at the Metz' Arsenal" is a captivating live album by the MMM Quartet, featuring the renowned bassist Joëlle Léandre, released on Leo Records in 2012. This album is a testament to the quartet's prowess in blending free jazz, avant-garde, krautrock, and experimental genres into a cohesive and exhilarating musical experience. Recorded in November 2009 at the Arsenal de Metz, the album captures the raw energy and improvisational genius of the performers.
The MMM Quartet consists of Joëlle Léandre on double bass, Fred Frith on guitar, Alvin Curran on electronics and piano, and Urs Leimgruber on soprano and tenor saxophones. Their collective talent shines through in the two extended tracks, "Part One" and "Part Two," which together span 52 minutes of intense and innovative music. The album showcases Léandre's virtuosic arco lines and vocal chants, intertwined with the intricate guitar work of Frith, the atmospheric electronics of Curran, and the dynamic saxophone playing of Leimgruber. The result is a mesmerizing dialogue of unearthly dialogues and fleeting counter maneuvers, where sub-themes emerge, disappear, and morph into new musical ideas.
"Live at the Metz' Arsenal" is not just a recording but a live document of a unique musical event, capturing the spontaneity and creativity of the quartet in action. The album is a must-listen for fans of avant-garde and experimental music, offering a deep dive into the world of improvisational jazz. The interplay between the musicians is nothing short of extraordinary, making this album a standout in the genre.
