Russian-born percussionist Vladimir Tarasov is sort of the “old man” of jazz in Lithuania – he’s called Vilnius home since 1968, and achieved international renown as an improviser with the Ganelin Trio (1971-1986). In addition to work as a sound installation artist and solo percussionist, he has also worked with American composers like Anthony Braxton and drummer Andrew Cyrille. Thinking of Khlebnikov, a dedication to Russian Futurist poet Velimir Khlebnikov, is Tarasov’s first disc to be released on Lithuania’s No Business label and a follow-up to the eleven-volume Atto solos (released as a boxed set in 2005). There is something comparable to Cyrille. Tarasov’s movement from rumbling toms to large gongs, bells, and smaller tuned gongs recalls the Afro-Asian mini orchestra of Cyrille and Milford Graves’ Dialogue of the Drums (IPS, 1974).
The rapid twists of manipulated skins on “Having Saddled a Herd of Sounds” approach electro-acoustic textures, a fierce upset to the tense delicacy of its “Introduction.” Modern classicism, in the vein of ensemble percussion music, shows up on “Bi-chiming Dreams,” a spacious and metallic exploration of metal, air, and resonance. Concentrated action and small sounds take up “Pin, Pin, Pin! Rumbled Zinzeever,” a piece for muted bells and shakers far less rackety than its Futurist title would suggest. With tambourine and brushed patter, “Poles and Poles and Poles” is elegantly swinging. Though creating a sound environment is certainly part of Tarasov’s modus operandi, Thinking of Khlebnikov is just as much an intricate and joyous solo percussion disc.
Clifford Allen
credits
released July 1, 2010
NBCD 10
All music by Vladimir Tarasov (LATGAA)
Recorded March 20th, 2009 at Haus der Berliner Festspiele in the context of MaerzMusik 2009 / Berliner Festspiele, Germany
Sound Technician - Manfred Tiesler
Mastered by Arunas Zujus at MAMAstudios, Vilnius, Lithuania
Design by Oskaras Anosovas
.....introduction
… having saddled a herd of sounds
… I’ll somehow hobble over the desolate time…
… bi-chiming dreams…
… where lived reedlings...
… pin, pin, pin! – rumbled zinzeever…
… winging golden script of thinnest veins…
… poles and poles, and poles…
… we are soundmen…