Valdivia / Brenders

Calgary's Bug Incision collective originally focused on documenting that city's flourishing underground improvisatory music scene, but has since broadened their horizons to include like-minded souls from other locations. Michigan guitar deconstructionist Chris Riggs, UK sonic pranksters the A Band and Hamilton, ON noise purveyors Fossils have been featured on Bug Incision releases in the recent past. The album at hand is a lively sparring session between multi-reedist, and AIMToronto artistic director, Kyle Brenders and percussionist Brandon Valdivia, of the globally minded improv duo Not the Wind Not the Flag. These two certainly know each other well, and this is readily apparent as the proceedings unfold. For this session, Valdivia favours an assortment of drumming implements to attack his kit, allowing for increased depth to his sonic palette. Meanwhile, Brenders sticks to the tenor sax and clarinet, but manages to coax unorthodox tones from his instruments via extended techniques. This pair take their time unfurling these ten relaxed yet engaging pieces of improvisatory gold.