Frans de Waard: Saxophone Sound Session
Critic and Sound Artist Frans de Waard has released a new album under his Freiband pseudonym. “298” is published by German label Tosom and features recordings by Dutch Saxophonist and Composer Bo van de Graaf. On three pieces with a total running time of 41 minutes, Frans de Waard uses short Sax phrases played by de Graaf, slowly adding subtle effects and harmonic overlayering. In fact, as Frans de Waard progresses through the work, the instrument takes on the characteristics of a Harmonica more and more, parting ways with its original personality. The record company is well aware of the leftfield nature of the record, dubbing it one their “most experimental releases” ever. Admittedly, lovers of more traditional drone material might easily be disappointed with this. But next to playing with timbre, reverb and gradual changes, “298” is also about the rhythm of breath and the way it can in itself constitute a factor of musical development.
Quite obviously, “298” is steeped in the tradition of minimalism and this brings us to yet another new item in the extensive Frans de Waard catalogue. “Atak Night 3' is a DVD covering footage of two nights of concerts at Unit in Tokyo. Featured at the event were Evala, Keiji Haino, Keiichiro Shibuya, Pan Sonic and Frans de Waard under his Goem alias. Here, too, minimalism and noise are the main drivers, with Keiji Haino putting down a typical squirming act in front of the microphone and Frans de Waard atypically grooving out on what appears to be a straight techno beat. The crowd, as the cheers and hollers in between tracks show, seemed to love every second of it. De waard readily had a comparison at hand for the performance: “Like Paul McCartney's Rockestra”, he said, carefully adding: “But a little bit different.”
Freiband has always been about a playful approach to sound art. “Leise”, the previous work of Frans de Waard under this name, featured instrumental performances of his three-year old daughter.
“298” will be available in a limited edition of 150 copies.
Homepage: Atak Records
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