k'ploeng - live performances

the only release by k'ploeng, a veritable supergroup of free improvsiation luminaries, including tristan honsinger, maarten altena, derek bailey, maurice horsthuis, terry day, and michel waisvisz. this lp is a compilation of cuts from three separate concerts (dec. 14-17, 1977), which play in a nonlinear sequence. seemingly doubly annoying - you don't get the full concerts, and you won't necessarily be able to tell which show is which without looking. on the contrary, though, the sheer uniqueness of this music, close to 50 years on, means that those are mere quibbles. the elongated, almost delicate pacing and manner of players "tumbling" over each other is really easy on the ears, as is the woody quality of the guitar, viola, cello, and bass combination. eventually we get a bit of wildness, coming from balloons, toys, and waisvisz's "crackle synthesizer" entering the mix, but the attention to space remains. i don't think this is regarded as highly in the free improv pantheon as say, company, but it's right up there! 



label: claxon - 78.2
condition: vg+/g+, with creasing, soiling, shelf wear, and distro sticker.