Studio 1

The debut release by this ensemble, drawing together four players with a wide variety of performance credentials under their belt, ranging from Paul Schütze and Jah Wobble to Marc Ribot and Melt Banana, is an enjoyable rather than a remarkable exploration into experimental improvisation, though with enough moments to recommend at least an initial listen. The six untitled tracks, apparently drawn from a larger number recorded, range from the lengthy to the short, the explosive to the slow burn; at their best they do readily show how the quartet members are well attuned to one another's performances. The opening "Untitled 9" allows the four to put their best collective foot forward; it's the longest piece and easily the most dramatic overall. It takes a little while for the four to fully lock into a huge building swirl, but when they do, with Raoul Björkenheim kicking up a hell of a noise on his guitar, it's a stellar performance, leading into a calmer section that sounds like a lost flute player in hell (even though it's more likely Björkenheim's viola) before a final skronking jam. If the rest of Studio 1 doesn't quite live up to that excellent start, there are still some fine moments, ranging from the fun and quick "Untitled 7," further demented heavy noise run wild, to the slow groove out of "Untitled 12," a good contrast in its building way to the opening song.