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Zauber des Zweitwerks: Vor zwei Jahren debütierte das Berliner Quartett "Günter Adler" mit einer sehr hübschen CD. Im letzten Jahr konnten sie eine kleine Asientournee durchführen, von der diese Aufnahmen stammen. Einige der Stücke sind bereits bekannt, aber das macht natürlich nichts. Im Gegenteil: Es zeigt, wie sehr die Gruppe an und mit ihrem Repertoire arbeitet, welch hohen Stellenwert Improvisation (nicht nur des Einzelnen, sondern des Quartetts an sich) in ihrer Musik hat. So ist auch das Zweitwerk meisterlich gelungen, und der mythisch verklärte Günter Adler mausert sich zu einem der spannendsten deutschen Jazzer. S.R./FonoForum 08/03 The gem of these Meta releases is Gunter Adler’s (that’s the group’s name, not an individual in the group… I guess sort of like Jethro Tull) recording Live In Asien. It’s a quartet with an unusual bass clarinet/tenor sax frontline. The bass clarinetist, Rudi Mahall, is one of the best I’ve heard in years. He has the facility of Dolphy and sounds really good in the lower register. He leans toward a vocalized sound yet never apes the master’s licks. Tenor saxophonist Daniel Erdmann is more mild mannered, yet mines his instrument for various shades and hues. The two work well together. The music frequently recalls the joyful, energetic themes of Ornette Coleman’s early quartet, with Mahall and Erdmann seemingly chasing each other through outrageously circuitous thematic lines. They also sound like they’re having a lot of fun doing it. (This is a band with a sense of humor). Occasionally the cooler influence of Warne Marsh/Lee Konitz rises to the surface as well (i.e. on Fink’s “Das Mannlein”). The rhythm section is loose and open, as they should be, and provide the propulsive drive this front line needs. Drummer Kobberling is particularly effective on “Das Mannlein” providing an Elvin Jones-like polyrhythmic accompaniment that pushes the soloists to dig deeper. Fink’s bass has a rich, deep, woody sound. He also contributed four out of the eight compositions. His ballad “Stehendes Nachtblau” is a dark moody ballad, almost an exercise in group stasis and a nice contrast to the band’s antic energy elsewhere. While all four of these discs on Meta have something to offer, it’s Gunter Adler’s that really stands out. Strongly recommended. Robert Iannapollo |