With a sound reminding us of acoustic piano trios from the 50s and 60s, Oùat sets out to discover a standard song format of today. Even though the nine original compositions on this release are performed instrumentally, they all stand in close relation to text and the vocal; first there was the word, then the simultaneous hearing and speaking, reading and writing of the music and its meaning. The forms are elastic and tend to give the improvisers open access to a great variety of techniques heralding the expressionism as well as romanticism in jazz and classical music. The resonances are dense like dry bricks piled up to conquer and question the times we are living today. The whole recording process have been followed by writer Erin Honeycutt who let us fall back into the word and the thought in her digging as well as constructing liner notes.
Oùat is a trio that found its origins in instinctive moments cast over the front and rear windows of jazz history. On their home ground in Berlin (Au Topsi Pohl) they have performed the music of Ellington, Hasaan Ibn Ali, Elmo Hope, Per Henrik Wallin and Sun Ra. Their debut album of strictly original material, Elastic Bricks, might remind you of Hindemith's dream holiday in Tangier. Sounds and tempi in a strange mix of recognisable disarray and unrecognisable order.
Oùat (Once upon a time) is collective storytelling, about what, where, and at, bringing forth questions about being when and where. Its members play revolving roles in the creative music scenes in Europe, from Marseille to Dala-Floda via Berlin. Their individual work encompass groups like Monks Casino, [ahmed], and Art Ensemble of Chicago.
1. Shall we
2. Mother and Son
3. Sommer
4. Dala-Floda Departure
5. Height of Nothingness
6. Tibia of the Mole
7. Weihnachten
8. Topsi Dance
9. Borghini Ballade
Simon Sieger: piano
Joel Grip: bass
Michael Griener: drums
All compositions by Joel Grip, except A3 and A5 (by Simon Sieger and Joel Grip) and B3 (by Simon Sieger).
Recording: March 24-25, 2021 at Traumton, Berlin- Spandau
Engineering: Andreas Lammel
Mixing and digital premastering: Alexis Baskind
Vinyl Cut: Kassian Troyer at Dubplates and Mastering/ Berlin
Cover painting and photos: Joel Grip
Liner notes: Erin Honeycutt
Produced by Topsi Series for Umlaut Records
