(Free Jazz, Free Improvisation) Agusti Fernandez, Evan Parker, Barry Guy, Paul Lytton - Topos - 2007, MP3 (tracks), 320 kbps

'Topos' consists of a series of quartets, trios and a duo directed by Agusti Fernandez and recorded live in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2006. All four of these master musicians have played together in various contexts for a number of years. All four are currently members of Evan Parker's Electro-Acoustic Ensemble, while Parker, Guy & Lytton have about ten trio discs to their name. Agusti & Evan have a fine duo disc as well, which is sadly out-of-print. Suffice to say that they sound as if they are connected in their deep improvisations. The first piece, "Coalescence" is only 2-minutes long, yet the quartet explode from the first note and then wind down to a soft conclusion. "Open Systems" has the haunting, hushed magic of those distinctive sax squeaks, bent notes rubbed inside the piano, ominous bowed bass and nimble percussion weirdness. Astonishing alien sounds! Although "In Praise of Shadows" is a piano trio piece, it doesn't sound like any other trio we've heard. Agusti's rubbing and banging inside the piano is dark and mysterious and is perfectly matched by Mr. Guy's odd plucked and bowed bass sounds, as well as Lytton's twisted percussive fragments. This entire disc is improv of the highest order and I find it to be consistently fascinating and engaging throughout. Another outstanding effort from four of our favorite Euro/jazz gods. -
Agusti Fernandez (piano); Evan Parker (tenor and soprano saxophones); Barry Guy (double bass); Paul Lytton (percussion)
Maya Recordings 701