Wire Quartet is one of saxophonist Rodrigo Amado's working bands, together with Motion Trio and Hurricane. Recording consistently for some of the greatest European avant jazz labels like Not Two, Ayler Records or, more recently, No Business, Amado returns to the label where he released his first albums, this time with an all-Portuguese powerful outfit.
The rhythm section is the same of the well succeeded Red Trio, namely double bassist Hernâni Faustino and drummer Gabriel Ferrandini (the last one also a member of Amado’s Motion Trio), and the fourth wheel is the big surprise of this project: Manuel Mota, one of the most original and radical of today’s guitarists all over the planet, praised by the likes of Derek Bailey and Noel Akchoté. Because of him, this debut album of the Wire Quartet is the less post-bop / free jazz oriented of all of Amado’s releases, going very far into free improvised music territories. Free improv, but always with a bluesy feeling, mainly because of Mota’s finger-picking approach, and also getting close to the free rock / noise sound world, due to the rough, but very focused, exploration of guitar distortion and feedback.
The powerful, mind-blowing, drum and bass support, and the always defying Mota’s interventions, give Amado all the conditions to go beyond his own physical and creative limits and to literally explode: this CD gathers some of his most impressive performances ever recorded, confirming his growing reputation as a congregator for such diverse musical legacies as the one's left by Ben Webster, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane or Albert Ayler. Get prepared to be lifted from the ground…
credits
released January 1, 2014
Rodrigo Amado – tenor saxophone
Manuel Mota - guitar
Hernani Faustino - double bass
Gabriel Ferrandini - drums
All compositions by Amado / Mota / Faustino / Ferrandini
Recorded by Joaquim Monte at Namouche Studios, Lisbon, January 28 & 29th, 2011
Mixed and Mastered by Joaquim Monte and Rodrigo Amado
Produced by Rodrigo Amado
Executive production by Pedro Costa
Cover and Back Cover Photo by António Júlio Duarte
Design by Travassos
Special thanks to Joaquim Monte, Teresa Prata, Rui Horta Santos, Luís Lopes, José Bruno Parrinha e Eva Cipriano.
Recently voted as #1 Tenor Saxophonist on El Intruso International Critics Poll, as stated by a poll of 50 critics and
writers from 18 countries, Rodrigo Amado frequently tours Europe and North America with his own groups. Stuart Broomer wrote: "Amado is an emerging master of a great tradition, more apparent with each new recording or performance."...more
This record has such a magical flow to it, it seems to capture so directly the ups and downs of life, the joy of music and dance, and it's just so damn catchy and fun to listen to as well. Giles
This quintet has acquired legendary status as a working unit...all the musicians are exemplary at their craft and DD is one of my 'Big5'...he is an exquisite composer of both depth and breadth of vision...you can instantly recognise Dave's DNA in a tune...what's more, you feel there is also so much more to come!;his powers of expression are so special.
These compositions are from the heart and I can only suggest that you take them to yours...
John Cratchley
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