Elliott Sharp Trio - Aggregat (2012)

No! With its reinterpretations of the music composed by Thelonious Monk, "Sharp? Monk? Sharp! Monk!" wasn't the most "jazzy" recording that multi-instrumentalist Elliott Sharp could conceive. In "Aggregat" we find him (in a way similar to his soundtrack to the film "Spectropia") using this musical language as if he always did it in such an integral and authentic way. Choosing the tenor and soprano saxophones as principal vehicles of expression (only sometimes do we hear his trademark electric guitar), what we have here is rhythmic and melodic jazz with a twist, in which improvisation expands from both written scores and conceptual approaches. The set includes Sharp's rollicking tribute to Sonny Rollins, "Nucular" and eleven other tracks with varied feels and textures. Grooving, swinging, and twisting with Sharp are double bassist Brad Jones, member of the Jazz Passengers and several bands lead by Marc Ribot, and chameleon-drummer Ches Smith, from Secret Chiefs 3 and Trevor Dunn's Trio-Convulsant. This is most definitely NOT smooth jazz but it shows yet another surprising aspect to this composer and multi-instrumentalist.

Tracklist:

1. Nucular
2. Hard Landing
3. Mal Du Droit
4. The Grip
5. Allelia
6. Gegenschein
7. Refractory
8. Global Swarming
9. Positronics
10. Estuary
11. Figure Of Speed
12. Satan Sandwich

Personnel:

Elliott Sharp - tenor and soprano saxophones, electric guitar
Brad Jones - bass
Ches Smith - drums