MP3: Saft - I do not smoke
KakoFone is new label out of Denmark focusing on avant-jazz or "modern composition and improvisation" as they put it. At least that's the territory they've covered so far with their first two releases, but I suppose anything is possible since their mission statement leaves things fairly wide open. So keeping that in mind, let's take a look at Saft, a young sax/keys/drums trio out of Århus. First off, this is not atonal free jazz so don't let any avant-garde labels scare you off just yet. Yes, there are strong improvisational elements, but the piece I'm posting for you today has a very strong compositional structure. It might not seem obvious for non-musicians, so let me encourage you to not just listen to the piece I've posted today, but also to watch it as well. Personally, I find the visual aspect of jazz performance very appealing. Sure, they're reading charts in this instance (hence my comments on strong composition), but they're also interacting and playing off of one another and that's what makes it so exciting. No the subtle differences between the two versions as well - that's what makes it such a fluid art form. However, the thing I like best about the piece is the way they let it build before settling into a groove. Often times with this kind of stuff, the artists seem to forget that challenging music is not incompatible with enjoyment and let themselves get suckered into making music that only appeals to other musicians. Saft makes complicated music with broader appeal and I appreciate that.
Saft - I do not smoke