KLANG: Other Doors
Allos Documents, 2011

AVANT-JAZZ – Clarinetist James Falzone brings the music of Benny Goodman into an entirely new, strange universe with a retro/futuristic mix of reimagined favorites and original tunes. KLANG’s bright, sparkling sound incorporates touches of swing here and there, but they also spend a lot of time floating through mysterious, angular realms.

All interesting. Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 14

1. 2:10 – melodic solo clarinet, derived loosely from a standard
2. 2:44 – upbeat, shimmering swing twisted up, vibes & drums spin off axis
3. 3:57 – swing warped like a funhouse mirror; trombone & clarinet stroll
4. 3:43 – twisty clumps, silent breaks, a slow walk and a quick scramble
5. 5:58 – slow, enigmatic drift with hopscotch melody; cello adds to the fog
6. 3:38 – relaxed clarinet/bass swing, vibes try to slide it elsewhere
7. 4:12 – cool-cat walk, but spaces out into free improv for a while
8. 3:34 – slow and moody, seems to gaze into the far distance
9. 3:36 – rather creepy warped riff turns speedy, melts into shapeless lump
10. 4:31 – slinky back-alley creep: prominent bass, quirky vibes, cool clarinet
11. 5:18 – abstract clarinet/vibe intro; perky swing wanders off, cool bass solo
12. 5:07 – very slow, shrouded in mist; becomes a stately procession
13. 4:30 – slow angles, dives into raucous group improv over rolling rhythm
14. 3:44 – solo drum intro, then perky groove that drifts out and back
15. 2:26 – solo clarinet dances around the edges of standard

[ Fo ] 05/08/11