Aventure Québécoise is the recording of the show
Doppelmoppel presented at the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville on May 17, 1998. This quartet of two trombones (brothers Konrad and Johannes Bauer) and two guitars (
Joe Sachse on electric,
Uwe Kropinski on classical) had been together for 15 years, but their only previous recording -- Reflections on the German FMP label -- dated back to 1986.
Doppelmoppel approaches free improvisation with a circus-like detachment that makes it fresh, jazzy, witty, crazy, and highly energetic. Johannes Bauer turns his instrument into an elephant: His noisemaking aesthetic contrasts sharply with his brother's. The same goes for the jazzman-gone-mad licks of Sachse and the serious-to-the-bone technical prowess of Kropinski (especially featured on "Aventure Québécoise II"). The set, beautifully recorded, was structured into five mid-length improvisations. Various combinations happened, the best being two trombones (part of "Aventure Québécoise I") and two guitars (part of "Aventure Québécoise II"). Depending on the pedals he uses, Sachse tends to be lost in the mix, but otherwise this is a very dynamic performance. The synergy and the interplay among the musicians proves that they were having a lot of fun. This CD is better (less uptight, more engaging) than Reflections and quite recommendable, if only for Kropinski's very impressive flamenco stylings. ~ François Couture