#mandorla

On “Lennette,” a portmanteau of Tristano and Coleman, Kohlhase combines the harmonic complexity of the former with the latter’s free approach to structure and melody. Beginning with each player sounding off a two-note motif, the Explorers Club blasts off with a series of fanfares before breaking down into smaller units to duel. The interlude between Hofbauer and Bishop a particular joy. “Airport Station” strolls along on Newton’s lock step beat as Hofbauer bends his guitar through a mazy solo. The reed and brass players mingle and part in brief nocturnal encounters, those late night, cancelled flight consultations, the participants buoying each other.

The cover versions too provide plenty of space for celebration. Kohlhase’s arrangement of Ornette Coleman’s rare 1969 single “Man on the Moon” becomes an eleven plus minute cosmic blowout that references the double quartet of Coleman’s 1961 landmark Free Jazz. The octet hits the main theme hard between breaks for various combinations of interlocking solos with Leva and Newton working double time in support. The duel between Reibstein and Kohlhase a particular delight leading into a frantic revisitation of the main theme and an outro of rocket wake through space. Their reading of Tchicai’s “Berlin Ballad” retains the original’s tender lyricism and hint of “Yesterday” whilst capturing something of Tchicai’s freer side. They close with Roswell Rudd’s “Tetraktys.” After running through the theme, a series of brief interlocking solos, before the band members put aside their instruments one by one to sing the theme in growing unison, a sort “So Long, Farewell” in reverse that brings a wonderful album to a lovely end.