“Dissonant Lockdown” by Jim Johnston
This is a compilation of live improvisations performed by Jim Johnston on a big ol’ hollow body electric, originally presented through live streams earlier in 2020. As advertised, there’s certainly lots of dissonance, but also lots of interesting guitar sound exploration mixed with open space. While I really like the jazz improv work he’s done with Aidan Searle (see below), it’s also great to hear a musician you like in another context like this raw guitar exploration. I’m not sure if this whole world pandemic lockdown situation will ultimately prove an overall positive for the arts, as it presents difficult challenges to many, but I’m happy to see Johnston able to share this creative outlet with us.
“Here To Go” by Lash, Hill, Searle
The last couple times I’ve written about drummer Aidan Searle, it was on recordings with his partner Jim Johnston (see below). This time, he teams up with Dominic Lash (Electric Bass) and Tim Milton Hill (Baritone Sax). While some of the instrumentation is different than the work with Johnston, this is yet another fine free jazz workout.
William S. Burroughs once wrote “Why are we here? We’re here to go!” Perhaps that idea was the inspiration for the title of this album. And maybe the motivation, too, as the band comes roaring out of the gate for the first few minutes. Eventually things settle in and, as the three musicians follow their muses, you’ll hear many wonderful things from full force freak out to melancholy mellow.
“Election Night”
Another excellent live jazz improv from Aidan Searle and Jim Johnston. Listening to opener “Pre-Election Tension” I thought this would be an album of music similar to the last one on MuteAnt (see “Duality” below) featuring free guitar and drum interplay. But then comes “The Count” and, what’s this? Jim Johnston sets aside the guitar for a little change of pace piano. The guitar is back on “Post-Election Trauma” and, perhaps I’m projecting, but this song seemed to be conveying some anger and dissatisfaction with a more rock-oriented feel. For me it had a bit of a King Crimson vibe. Closer and bonus track “Future Dayz” is much more low-key music and carries you out on a gentler note. I heartily endorse this slate of songs.
“Duality”
This is one longish track of duo Aidan Searle (drums) and Jim Johnston (guitar) recorded live at the Exchange in Bristol. It’s pretty free jazz but also fairly accessible (so don’t be scared off if you’re not into total free jazz freak outs). The song flows nicely through several moods over its twenty minute duration. Sometimes the drums are loud and chaotic, sometimes they are barely there. The guitar has a mostly clean tone throughout, but the playing ranges from sedate to atonal. For me there’s a thread throughout the entire duration of this piece that hold everything together; Johnston plays figures at various times that strongly remind me of Thelonious Monk’s “Epistrophy.” And as threads go, that’s a pretty strong one.