Mats Gustafsson & Yoshimi
Words on the Floor
Smalltown Superjazz 2007

01. Soundless Cries With Their Arms in the Air
02. And the Children Play Quietly With Words on the Floor

Quite a mastodontic improv project from Swedish sax master Gustafsson and Boredoms/OOIOO female vocalist Yoshimi, whom he has declared himself to be a long time fan. Two tracks, the first serving as an introduction to the 40-minute wonder that soon follows: a musical travel crossing all the transformations of the dialogue between sax and voice (to which they've also added fluteophone, plus live, spacey electronics)... And this doesn't by half start to explain what really happens. There's an authentic spontaneity, but also a tight interplay between these vocal & instrumental plays that will remind you of the poetry and power of the human voice. Gustafsson uses several different "cuts" of his unique slide sax to set the background, capturing such very fine transitions within the piece, you're completely caught up and involved halfway, with feelings of envy for the few at Malmö Konzerthaus, where it's all been initially recorded. One of those rare performances that either strap you to a chair or flatten you on the floor... for sure.

>> gsize / mfire (75mb)
>> love it, buy it (Midheaven)

A well rounded and varied collaboration that balances the feeling of surprise, invention and beautiful oddness very well. -Musique Machine