Spaces Unfolding
Neil Metcalfe / Philipp Wachsmann / Emil Karlsen
Spaces Unfolding was initiated by Norwegian drummer Emil Karlsen and features stalwart UK improvisers Neil Metcalfe and Philipp Wachsmann. The trio was created to explore the percussion, violin and flute constellation with a particular interest in the acoustic spaces which they inhabit.
Having been introduced to the London Improvisers Orchestra a few years earlier, Karlsen first approached long time member Metcalfe about potentially forming a trio. It was then revealed that he and Wachsmann had only collaborated in various large ensembles, never before in a smaller group context.
Two obvious collaborators whose paths rarely crossed ultimately outlined an intriguing framework for the group to emerge from and this laid the foundation for their first outing: ‘The Way We Speak’.
The album was captured in the unique acoustics of St.Mary’s Old Church, the last surviving Elizabethan Church in London, and was released November 2022 on the historic Bead Records to critical acclaim.
New York City Jazz Recordings honourable mention - Albums Of The Year list 2022
“One of the finest documents of how improvisation is made that this listener has heard, on par with the two astounding The Life of a Trio albums by Paul Bley, Jimmy Giuffre and Steve Swallow””
““The Way We Speak engulfs the edginess of those early 80’s recordings by the same label.” ”
“Spaces Unfolding’s music is something to savor, to relish. It is both lovely and brilliant.”
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““Natural, immediate and intimate, never losing the intriguing tension” ”
Free improvising flutist Neil Metcalfe is ubiquitous on the London music scene. He has recorded and performed with Evan Parker Octet, London Improvisers Orchestra, Paul Rogers Freedom Orchestra, The Dedication Orchestra, The Intuitive Art Ensemble, The Paul Dunmall Nonet, Transatlantic Art Ensemble and many other groups and formations.
Wachsmann came to free improvisation from a predominantly classical background, particularly via the contemporary experiments of indeterminacy, graphic and prose-based scores, conceptualism and electroacoustics. He’s recognised as a pioneer creating new sounds using the violin and electronics. As a result, he can be heard on over 100 LPs/CDs on different labels including ECM, with musicians such as Derek Bailey, Christine Jeffreys and Evan Parker.
Described as a “significant addition to the UK free jazz scene”, Emil Karlsen is establishing himself on the improvised music circuit performing with the likes of Philipp Wachsmann, Matthew Bourne, Phil Durrant, Ed Jones, and the London Improvisers Orchestra to mention some.
** photos by Kristian Løvstad