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| top - general info - audio excerpts - reviews - purchase Info/Personnel 2 Many Axes
2 Many Axes
Open yourself to the C & P 2003, MANY AXES The primary focus of Many Axes is exploring the potential of unusual instruments. Our sonic structures emerge from spontaneous, improvised musical communication among the members of the group, almost like a conversation. But unlike a verbal conversation, all the participants can "speak" simultaneously, weaving a surprisingly coherent musical web. The diversity of our instrumentation allows us to explore a wide range of soundscapes and moods with only three performers. Most of the wind instruments we play were designed and fashioned from clay by Susan Rawcliffe, who has made a lifelong study of ceramics and musical traditions from around the world. This love of world music is shared by Scott Wilkinson, who also plays an extensive variety of winds, and Brad Dutz, who has collected myriad percussion instruments from many different cultures. We combine these influences to create a unique blend of sounds that evokes . . . well, only you can say what it evokes in you. Whatever that happens to be, we hope you enjoy it. Mixing: Scott Wilkinson, Brad Dutz |
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Rex Butters, http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=16455 2 MANY AXES (pfMentum 20), collects a series of improvised performances that thrive on the high-level of communication between the musicians, all delivered with a sincere, almost spiritual directness. The unexpected and diverse sound palette created by the wind instruments (all incidentally crafted by Rawcliffe) and broad percussive tones from Dutz make this a very special disc. Though each performance is original, several are worth mentioning. For one, the first piece, “March of The Whales,” suggests an ode to nature with the animals rising amidst the waves, while other highlights include the droning “Entropy,” the East Indian feast of “Roll Over Johan,” the ancient winds of “Unheard Melodies,” the Eastern spirituality of “Dali Comma,” and the jagged interplay of “Popping Beatles.” A fresh and captivating blend of instrumental timbres and world cultures, this is an intriguing set for those that set their sights beyond traditional realms. It doesn’t get much more distinctive than this. Jay Collins, Cadence, April 2005 Drumming and instrument circles vary widely across the U.S. Anytime when a group of world musicians pick up their instruments, I grab a drum and am one of the first to join in. This type of jam session is always magickal and fun. The great thing is, that every group’s sounds are as different and unique as the individuals participating. So I am always happy to hear improvisational musicians on world instrumentation playing the entire night away! When I received 2 Many Axes, the second release from avant-garde instrumentalists Many Axis, it immediately went into my player. And I was not disappointed. There is a difference between musicians who play improv and those who record improv. Often those who record are so full of themselves that the recording is nothing more than an exercise in ego maniacal mayhem. But happily, this is not the case with Many Axis. The group plays so comfortably and well within its boundaries that you can’t help but have fun listening to them because it is obvious that they are having fun. Susan Rawcliffe not only plays wind instruments she also makes them. Mother Gaia giving birth to song! Accompanying her on wind instruments is Scott Wilkinson who also plays deftly and energetically. Rounding up the group is Brad Dutz delicate and diligent on percussion. The trio rallies themselves and slowly meld into one. A complex organic structure planting the seed, taking root and reaching toward the sky. I was immediately moved by the haunting opening track “March of Whales” which reminded me more of coyotes or wolfs. Many Axes fashion an acoustic ambient space where the winds gently glide among the cliffs blowing through the rocks and outcroppings giving birth to a chorus against which the coyotes sing. It’s actually track 2, Circuspace, that takes me into the realm of whales. Organic winds blowing out cries of solemn song organizing itself into a calliope of pulsing beats then dementia. A wonderful fluidity which openly states, “our instruments hold us to no boundaries”. From the eastern underpinnings of Drama Dairy and Entropy to the singing bowls on Dali Comma, Many Axes showcase their lateral group approach to the myriad of world instruments on hand. If I have one complaint about this CD at all is has to be that too much time dedicated to the rallying of organized musical structure as the band attempts to find their own. While fun in activity, it really is not a whole lot of fun to listen too and these little exercises, though essential to this type of music, should have been edited from the final cut. But by no means does this detract from the raw edge and acoustic grace that Rawcliffe, Dutz and Wilkinson manage to conjure. 2 Many Axis is mastered to fine definition. The most lithe breath is captured. As a matter of fact, breath is used as a rhythm instrument as well. The trio indeed uses the most of what they have on hand without muddying the mix. Simple is the key to their success. So build a nice bonfire, take your CD player with you and let Many Axes bring the visions in the leaping flames to life! Review by: Robert "Nuada", http://www.chaindlk.com/ The title here refers to the fact that this trio plays an immense variety of instruments (a/k/a axes) on this splendid endeavor. Check out the list: Susan Rawcliffe plays polyglobular trumpet, tuba flute, claydoo, water flute, howler, wind wands, triple pipe & ocarina; Brad Dutz plays waterphone, gongs, chimes, bougaraboo, daff, mafka, bowls, bells, whistles, clay xylophone & metal junk; Scott Wilkinson plays suling, shakuhachi, flutes, ocarina, euphonium, recorder & Tibetan horns. A number of these axes I haven't heard of either. Incredibly well recorded, perfectly balanced and an all-acoustic affair. Although this is an all improvised work, the trio has worked hard on playing together as one, very spiritually involved entity. This music has a timeless, ancient to modern quality. The bowed or rubbed percussion and flutes or other blowables sound very similar in sound and blend perfectly. Time is often slowed down as sounds are bent slowly like putty, it is the sound of Mother Earth speaking to us. Another superb offering from those wonderful folks at pfMentum. - BLG, Downtown Music Gallery ...Many Axes, comprised of Susan Rawcliffe: cermanic flutes, whistles, shells, trumpets, Brad Dutz: shakers, bones, and other things that rattle, and Scott Wilkinson: ceramic winds, tibetan horn, flutes, etc, display an enthic originality and dynamic originality in bringing tones and textures to the rhythms here. On 2 Many Axes, the unusual sounds come from the improvised musical communication between the artists in an exploration of the many diverse cultures around the world. Jeramy Ponder, JackalBlaster, Nov 2004 Susan Rawcliffe, Scott Wilkinson and Brad Dutz fill a room with their
many axes, arrange all the instruments on tables just so, and move freely
from end to end, selecting the right sound-maker as each idea rushes
into their combined frame of reference. The session is a flood of ideas,
and these three veterans of the modern creative music scene make it work.
Their music absorbs your thoughts and mesmerizes. Jim Santella, http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=15706 With this program, Susan Rawcliffe, Brad Dutz and Scott Wilkinson use “exotic” instruments to perpetuate a world music vibe. You’ll notice asymmetrical inclusions of exotica, and nods to the avant-garde scheme of things. Instruments such as a waterflute, a spring drum, chimes and other unlikely tools of the trade, provide an organic foundation for the musicians contrasting themes and sumptuous tonalities. They delve into sound-shaping activities amid primal rhythms and plaintive cries. Chalk this one up as one of the more captivating, experimental outings of 2004. Glenn Astarita, http://www.jazzreview.com/articledetails.cfm?ID=3753 Obtuse and peculiar, 2 Many Axes will appeal to a small eclectic audience. Many Axes is the trio consisting of Susan Rawcliffe, Scott Wilkinson, and Brad Dutz. All three musicians play a mind-boggling array of unconventional instruments. Their compositions sound something accidental music that you might imagine hearing in the distance if you were traveling through the jungle. Incorporating everything from ceramic flutes, didjeridus, shells, tibetan horn, ethic flutes, udo, tablas, doumbeck, bones, gongs, and more (!) into their music, these folks are obviously not seeking commercial success. 2 Many Axes is, indeed, a labor of love by three individuals who are more concerned with letting their creative juices flow than reaching a large audience. What is surprising about this album is how soothing it can be. Instead of playing obtuse noise that grates on the nerves, the trio comes up with compositions that set definite cerebral moods. Most of the wind instruments used in these recordings were fashioned from clay by Rawcliffe herself (which may explain some of the strangely unfamiliar tones). This is an intriguing collection of compositions that surely defies description. While not for everyone, those seeking truly unusual modern mood music will want to check this out. Slightly trippy and surreal. Highly recommended. (Rating: 5+++) http://www.lmnop.com/ Nov 2004 The axes in '2 many axes' are not guitars as some may possibly think. What we have here are many unusual instruments as well as some more traditional ones played to make creative and unusual sounds. Strange pipes, trumpets, chimes, and flutes only touch the tip of the iceberg as to the myriad of musical tools used to create a rich sound instrumentation. Best of all is the way in which certain instruments augment or contrast others in a variety of ways. The clever song titles only shadow the even more interesting interplay of instruments. Cuts here range from over one minute in length to almost ten. This is an album that presents sonic creations and ancient beats and rhythms in a very interesting way. It's a delight of sounds and tones that explore both musical basics and edges. Recommended. A must for the serious creative musician. The CRITICAL REVIEW Many Axes creates spontaneous music and performs on primitive instruments. Artist and master flute player Susan Rawcliffe designed and created most of the instruments this trio plays. Her clay pieces, modeled after world music traditions, seamlessly fit the improvisational manner of Rawcliffe, wind player Scott Wilkinson, and percussionist Brad Dutz. That is, they agree on the organic nature of this recording. These people are making music that seemingly comes straight from the earth. I'm not pouring a huge bowl of granola here. The wind and beats resonate deep inside your chest. Most tracks build upon progressive layers and tones that stir mood with low light ambiance. Rawcliffe, Wilkinson, and Dutz aren't playing jazz so much as creating instant world music. Not the musical tourist sounds of prepackaged gift shops, but the found object sounds of explorers. When we hear the three taking breaths, they each join the collective creation of music, primitive beats, soundings, harmonies, and whistles. Like early musicians, they mimic animal sounds, the wind, thunder, and mother earth. Dig it. ~ Mark Corroto , AllAboutJazz.com |
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