Lost River

Reviewed: 2019-06-27
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Drummer Rabbia’s latest disc is an evocative post-ambient, richly textured sonic event, Rabbia and guitarist Aarset had played many duo concerts, and Rabbia had also worked with trombonist Petrella in other contexts, but this recording marks a premiere for the trio. Spontaneously improvised for the most part, and with mysterious detail flowering inside its soundscapes, this latest incarnation keeps revealing new forms.
If You Like: Enrico Rava, Ryan Eberle, Thomas Stronen, Jakob Bro
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
**1/ Nimbus (5:13) – quiet electronic drone starts> slow jam> slowly builds to up tempo guitar/drums/electronics jam with languid trombone over the top> slow fade
*2/ Flood (4:21) – wave-like electronic washes start> slow jam> electronics ebb & flow> slow sonic jam> slow fade
3/ What Floats Beneath (5:43) – electronic drone starts> slow duet with guitar> slow jam>slow fade
*4/ Lost River (4:45) –guitar/drums starts> slow jam with intermittent heavy chords> mellows> slows to fade
5/ Styx (2:51) – loud drone – trombone, electronics, cymbals- starts> midtempo pastoral jam morphs into slow sonic jam> fade
**6/ Night Sea Journey (5:41) – guitar starts> echoing trombone over slowly evolving duet> electronics ebb & flow> slow fade
*7/ Fluvius (6:24) – quiet organ-like drone with bells starts> slow drifting jam slowly builds in volume> morphs into sonic jam with trombone creating bird-like sounds> slow fade
*8/ What The Water Brings (5:45) – quiet drums/guitar/electronics trio starts> slow jam with electronic washes> slow fade
9/ Flotsam (1:27) – electronic sounds like things bumping in a wash> fade
10/ Wadi (2:00) – quiet electronic drone suddenly jumps in volume> slow jam with intermittent beats & electronic washes> quick stop

Michele Rabbia Drums, Electronics
Gianluca Petrella Trombone, Sounds
Eivind Aarset Guitar, Electronics