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October 2007
gig reviews

Outhouse
Christine Tobin
Francois Theberge/Hans Koller Quartet
Mark Feldman Group
Mike Chillingworth Quartet
Andrea Vicari
Georgia Mancio
Lucien Dubois Crossover Trio
Centre Line
Mike Gibbs 70th birthday concert

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October 2007 gig reviews by Chris Parker

Outhouse

Wednesday 31 October

Outhouse, so called because they used to practise in a North London outhouse (a perfect example of 'woodshedding'), aim at 'blurring the line between improvised and written music'; thus 'heads' are present in their pieces, but they serve chiefly as rhythmic or melodic triggers for solo or collective exploration rather than laying down a rigid chord sequence in the conventional manner.

Some pieces, indeed, begin as pleasantly meandering but cogent conversations between tenor players Mark Hanslip and Robin Fincker before coalescing into more formal, written passages; others reverse this process, beginning with a thunderous two-tenor riff, or are sparked by a particular rhythm (on this occasion – a West African beat flawlessly set up by whip-smart drummer Dave Smith and subtle bassist Johnny Brierley) that gives rise to absorbing, carefully sculpted solo excursions from all bandmembers.

To vary the textures and moods, Fincker picks up his clarinet from time to time, but it is the twin-tenor pieces, particularly those set against Smith's clattering but precisely judged drumming, that are most immediately enjoyable, and mark the quartet out as one of the most dependably rousing outfits currently operating on the London scene. Their forthcoming album is eagerly awaited.

 

 

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