Wires and Wooden Boxes

Album Review

This is the second collaboration between Californian guitarist/pianist Ernesto Diaz-Infante and Brooklyn-based guitarist Chris Forsyth. Their first CD, Left & Right (Bottomfeeder, 2000), had been recorded separately, Diaz-Infante creating solos, Forsyth choosing excerpts and overdubbing his own material. This one is made of genuine duo improvisations, the result being a much stronger artistic proposition. Some thought was put into the music before playing: instrumentation and technique were agreed on, and probably also length and colors. Loosely planned, the ten pieces feel more focused and direct. The album opens and closes with Diaz-Infante at the piano: on "NYC Journal Excerpt (2000) Piano/Guitar" he lays down delicate chords while Forsyth makes noise by playing with the input jack of his guitar; on "Trace Out Motion" the pianist creates ripples of low notes while the guitarist plays jagged guitar lines. Most of the other pieces feature acoustic and electric guitar, with occasional small percussion. "Passing One Another...Acoustic/Electric #17" resonates with folk overtones, while "Straight to It" is classic piano/guitar free jazz. Other pieces feature various guitar preparations. The dialogue established between the two musicians is convincing, their sound palette enough varied to sustain the attention. Both have a propensity to land on tonal islands in the flow of free improv, which gives them the power to destabilize and charm. Recommended. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide