Playing saxophone solo is demanding. Not many players even attempt it. For every Evan Parker or Colin Stetson, there are thousands of other saxophonists who keep things simple and just play in a band. But tenor saxophonist Darren Williams digs the danger. On this nine-track set, he explores two aspects of his chosen horn: circular breathing and overtones. Williams is never silent, not even for a moment, because his breathing technique allows him to keep blowing while he inhales short snorts of air; note-wise, he keeps the music flowing with a continuous flow of two and three note groups.
Which leads to the other thing going on: the overtones, subtle, high sonic artifacts that Williams coaxes out with special embouchure pressures and releases on the mouthpiece and reed. His tunes explore an encyclopedia of scintillating and skronky sounds. Highlights are the sizzling "For Fred Herzog" and the quietist "You Will Stay With Us (for Kenny Doren)." Wild and wooly saxophonistics.
(Bug Incision)Which leads to the other thing going on: the overtones, subtle, high sonic artifacts that Williams coaxes out with special embouchure pressures and releases on the mouthpiece and reed. His tunes explore an encyclopedia of scintillating and skronky sounds. Highlights are the sizzling "For Fred Herzog" and the quietist "You Will Stay With Us (for Kenny Doren)." Wild and wooly saxophonistics.