PAPATAMUS REDUX

MAHAKALA 080  (Recorded March 2024)

Sally Gates, Steve Hirsh and Daniel Carter are modern day alchemists, transforming elements through a magical process. The elements they transform on Phosphene are the infinite sounds and textures of guitar, drums, flute, saxophone and trumpet, and the process they employ is spontaneous improvisation. The title of one of the five tracks defines how they do it — “Dependence on ESP.” By listening closely to one another and reacting responsibly, the trio of guitarist Sally Gates, drummer Steve Hirsh and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter conjure up an ever-changing soundscape. Motifs start and stop, evolve and morph, explode and compress, diverge and unite. Carter ‘s flute provides a calming presence throughout “Tendrils,” which is accentuated by Gates’ distinctive slinky guitar work and Hirsh’s shifting rhythms. Carter switches to saxophone on “Orange Squares,” an improvisations that begins with a steady beat and disintegrates into a frenetic solo from Gates. On the ballad-like “Vague Geometry,” Hirsh uses brushes and Gates adds a bass effect as Carter explores the structure of the tune on saxophone. Gates and Hirsh set the mood for “Afternoon Spiders” which showcases Carter’s trumpet playing.  Like the CD cover (created by Gates), the music on Phosphene is abstract and fluid, yet centered on a simple goal — to transform elements through a magical process. Like the alchemists of the past, the results are priceless .
 

BOTTOM LINE: Inspired by one another, guitarist Sally Gates, drummer Steve Hirsh and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter deliver Phosphene, a recording that is full of surprises, textures and moods. As in the past, the Mahakala label has mined today’s world of free improvisations and struck a rich vein with Phosphene.