Spaces Unfolding (+Pierre Alexandre Tremblay)
Neil Metcalfe / Philipp Wachsmann / Emil Karlsen (+Pierre Alexandre Tremblay)
The trio of Neil Metcalfe, Philipp Wachsmann and Emil Karlsen has been working together as Spaces Unfolding since 2021. Created initially as a vehicle for acoustic exploration, the trio’s debut ‘The Way We Speak’ was recorded in the acoustics of London’s St Mary’s Old Church and later released on Bead Records. The album was featured on BBC Radio 3 and received critical acclaim described as ‘natural, immediate and intimate’ (Salt Peanuts) and ‘one of the finest documents of how improvisation is made’ (New York City Jazz Records) .
This time the trio is joined by Pierre Alexandre Tremblay (electronics), a practitioner offering multiple dialogues between instruments and electronics. Expanding on the initial idea of acoustic influence, the trio is now situated within an electronic environment in what is a reflection on our relationship to technology.
‘Shadow Figures’ awaits release on Bead Records 15th November
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supported by PRS Open Music Fund
The Way We Speak (2022 - BEAD 43)
“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.” ”
New York City Jazz Recordings honourable mention - Albums Of The Year list 2022
““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, John Butcher, Phil Durrant and Maggie Nicols to mention some.
Pierre Alexandre Tremblay (Montréal, 1975) is a composer and performer on bass guitar and electronic devices, in solo and group settings, between electroacoustic music, contemporary jazz, mixed music and improvised music. He also worked in popular music, and practises creative coding. His music is available on empreintes DIGITALes.
He is currently Professor of Composition and Improvisation at the University of Huddersfield (England, UK). He likes spending time with his family, reading prose, and going on long walks. As a founding member of the no-tv collective, he does not own a working television set.
** photos by Kristian Løvstad