Salter Ensemble - Tri Dela [Zavod Sploh / Bruit Editions]

Once again put out on the circuit as a collaborational effort between Zavod Sploh and Bruit Editions is "Tri Dela", the May 3rd, 2k24 released sophomore album by the multinational electro-acoustic joint venture that is the Salter Ensemble which, according to the accompanying press sheet, operates within the realms of both Free Improv and composition. With three pieces rolled out over the course of a 50 minutes total the ensemble employs a plethora of interesting, oftentimes leftfield instruments including electronics, objects, hurdy gurdy and augmented percussion alongside more traditionalist ones, opening with sharp, almost militaristic snare figures in "My Wish Is Your Command" which pave the way for ecstatic, hyper-urgent rhythmic elements nicely contrasted by deep, stripped down and Improv driven sequences which oftentimes display a sense for a grotesque, almost tongue-in-cheek arrangement and sparkling piano interventions which certainly would qualify these specific parts for use and abuse in underground movie scores for a reason before drifting off into the lands of full on madness and fast-paced FreeJazz terrorism for a climax. With the subsequent "Interstices / Interferences" the Salter Ensemble presents a more minimalist, moody and at times even DarkJazz-infused sonic approach whilst the concluding "Sum II" indulges even deeper in minimalism and operates at the fringes of the audible spectrum, providing only a bit of experimental ambience mixed with eerie Spoken Word fragments for a few minutes only to slowly add and build up an ever thickening labyrinth of playful, tentative yet perfectly executed instrumental layers and hyperexpressive vocalizations which probably turn this one into a favorite for fans of improvised Avantgarde Jazz for a reason. Defo a niche release, yet one that dedicated genre - or non-genre... - followers should probably be aware of.

Album artwork on Instagram!