Conjure
True Sound Recordings
This is a recording of two major artists of the modern 'free' jazz world. Karl Berger heard on piano and vibes, is a veteran of the new music scene. He has collaborated with numerous legends such as Don Cherry, Ed Blackwell, Lee Konitz, Ray Anderson, Dave Holland, and Pharaoh sanders as well as founded the Creative Music Studio. Jason Kao Hwang, heard on violin and viola, is likewise a significant artist having worked with William Parker, Tomeka Reid, Anthony Braxton, Henry Threadgill, and Reggie Workman. The present recording is a series of musical duets that were performed without any written scores.
This is very much a recording of musical conversations between the two as opposed to tune based performances. If one is going to use a label, new music might be appropriate. Listening to this dialogue does have its rewards, and these selections might be considered the musical equivalent of two abstract artists collaborating on a painting, alternating in who applies the brush.
Hwang is a fascinating musician who brings forth a variety of colors ranging from cat-like scratches to a cantorial viola solo. Berger plays dark chords on the piano and shimmering tones on the vibraphone. This contrast adds to the fascination of the performances here. This is challenging music, which may not be for everyone. This listener found "Conjure" fascinating and often compelling.
I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the January-February 2020 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 388).
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