MAÏKOTRON UNIT: Ex-Voto
Rant, 2011

AVANT-GARDE – Despite 26 years together, this Quebec-based trio hasn’t released anything on CD until now. A maïkotron is a hybrid reed instrument using both valves and keys; it has a huge microtonal range spanning five octaves! Also in play are clarinet, saxes, bass, cello and drums. The band has a unique yet accessible, bass-heavy sound that reaches into both regular jazz and classical/new music. The 20 short tracks are divided into 12 “tableaux,” but they work better individually.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20

1. 2:11 – deep bass tones and drones over rumbling percussion
2. 2:34 – lopsided jazz walk: slightly sour sax, steady bass, cool drums
3. 4:28 – bowed bass and clarinet weave together over scattered drums
4. 2:04 – exotic, rolling groove with didgeridoo-like interjections
5. 0:59 – wandering interlude with huge bowed bass
6. 2:00 – rather cute jazzy stroll begins to splinter as drums ramp it up
7. 5:51 – deep, deep bass improvisation with humor, becomes a heartbeat
8. 2:18 – another happy jazz walk, this one’s played straight
9. 2:03 – splashy drums, quick cello plucking & slouching reeds
10. 2:28 – improv squeaks and rumbles over tumbling drums, speeds up
11. 1:56 – slow, sleazy night walk: sax wails high ‘n’ low
12. 3:38 – quick spinning improv settles into slow, abstract conversation
13. 4:05 – calm, cerebral abstraction with water noises
14. 4:01 – quick-paced exotic pulse, hopping sax on top
15. 3:40 – nifty, complex rhythm; jungle-type squeals & growls
16. 2:33 – tumbling drums and amped-up agitated sax vs. sad bass
17. 1:54 – clarinet strolls over very low rumble, steady drums
18. 1:47 – uptempo percolation with a steady but complex beat
19. 2:53 – dramatic drums, bass drone, exotic string plucking & breathy wail
20. 2:00 – upbeat bass/drum roll with growling maïkotron dialogue

[ Fo ] 07/17/11