Synapsis by Oskar Aichinger

15 Aug

Written by Glenn Astarita
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This Frankfurt, Germany based, progressive-jazz/avante-garde record label is celebrating its fifth year in business. Simply stated, Between The Lines has emerged as one of Europe’s jazz tinged guiding lights, partially due to trumpeter/flugelhornist Franz Koglmann’s acute artistic direction.

Keyboardist Oskar Aichinger surges forward with another interesting effort, further exemplifying the label’s penchant for highlighting musicians’ who often merge disparate elements into a unified approach. Here, the artist and his quartet render an acoustic-electric scenario, topped off by silvery dreamscapes, atonal voicings, and pleasant melodies. Aichinger is a supreme rhythmic pianist as he sometimes redesigns pulsating metrics into reverse gear amid Stefan Nemeth’s computer generated sounds. Besides, the smattering of electronics here and there, this recording is surprisingly organic in scope. As the expert rhythm section, featuring bassist Achim Tang, and drummer Paul Skrepek navigate the asymmetrical grooves in sympathetic fashion. Aichinger divides these eleven pieces into four parts. Hence, he creates clusters of mood-altering notions and variegated musical environs. (Recommended.... )

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Oskar Aichinger
CD Title: Synapsis
Genre: Free Jazz / Avante Garde
Year Released: 2003
Record Label: Between The Lines
Musicians: Oskar Aichinger (piano + synthesizer), Stefan Nemeth (synthesizer + computer), Achim Tang (bass), Paul Skrepek (extended drums)
Label Website: -
Rating: Four Stars