They each lead a number of bands and play in other groups, but when guitarist Mary Halvorson, bassist Michael Formanek, and drummer Tomas Fujiwara convene as Thumbscrew, the collective identity of the trio becomes the key to the enterprise. The band had a pair of well-received discs on Cuneiform (skremsky.tumblr.com/search/thumbscrew) before the label decided to go on hiatus. But Thumbscrew persisted, convincing label owner Steve Feigenbaum to put out not one but two new releases recorded during a June 2017 residency at Pittsburgh’s City of Asylum. Ours, a collection of original songs by each of the three bandmembers, and Theirs, a selection of covers by disparate composers including Stanley Cowell, Misha Mengelberg, Benny Golson, Wayne Shorter, and Julio De Caro, form a matched pair with 100 minutes of dynamically balanced and lively creativity. Start with Theirs, a carefully sequenced program of some truly lovely compositions. Does anyone ever tire of hearing expressive renditions of Herbie Nichols’ exquisite House Party Starting or Jimmy Rowles’ The Peacocks? I hesitate to pick any favorites from this bounty of stimulating performances, but I’m quite partial to their unusual high-spirited treatment of Brooks Bowman’s East of the Sun and the unstoppable groove the trio applies to Cowell’s Effi, first released on Max Roach’s Members, Don’t Get Weary album from 1968.
The equal balance of the playing extends to the composing chores on Ours, with each member of the band contributing three pieces specifically designed for this group. Halvorson’ Snarling Joys lead off the disc with a snaky low-key groove that provides a fine occasion for a lovingly textured Formanek bass solo. Fujiwara’s Saturn Way features some energetic drumming and some of Halvorson’s delicately spiky playing. Her crafty playing emphasizes the acoustic properties of her hollow-body electric guitar, with subtle sculpting by way of sparingly used effects. Formanek’s warm arco bass plays a big role here as well. The bassist’s jittery Cruel Heartless Bastards is up next, with staggered rhythms that evoke a mutant surf sound. Halvorson’s Smoketree is a slightly bittersweet ballad at first before the beat moves things in a heavier direction. There’s more of Halvorson’s innovative guitar spirit in a wild solo full of unexpected leaps, and an energetic Formanek bass solo is also prominent. Her piece Thumbprint is similarly digressive while mostly keeping the focus on Halvorson’s angular guitar lines. A pair by Fujiwara follow. One Day is hushed at first before Fujiwara moves from brushes to sticks and the piece blossoms into a mid-tempo romp. The fairly mellow Rising Snow gives Halvorson a chance to stretch out with a crisply understated solo. The final two pieces are by Formanek. His Words That Rhyme puts the emphasis on the group’s interaction with a stop/start structure that might falter without the dynamic elucidation that this tightly integrated unit provides. Unconditional closes the program with what may be the most conventional music of the date, a gently loping and restful ballad. Halvorson is impressive on this one, with an engaging solo over Fujiwara’s mallet work and Formanek’s measured walking bass. Somehow Halvorson, Formanek and Fujiwara successfully balance their fierce individuality with an equally unrelenting commitment to the collective and the music, and they make it work every time. Ours and Theirs are triumphs of creative music-making, and both are strongly recommended.
Ours: Cuneiform Rune 439; Mary Halvorson (g) Michael Formanek (b) Tomas Fujiwara (d); Pittsburgh, PA, June 22-25, 2017; Snarling Joys/ Saturn Way/ Cruel Heartless Bastards/ Smoketree/ Thumbprint/ One Day/ Rising Snow/ Words That Rhyme with Spangle (angle bangle dangle jangle mangel mangle strangle tangle wangle wrangle)/ Unconditional; 55:54.
Theirs: Cuneiform Rune 441; Mary Halvorson (g) Michael Formanek (b) Tomas Fujiwara (d); Pittsburgh, PA, June 22-25, 2017; Stablemates/ Benzinho/ House Party Starting/ The Peacocks/ East of the Sun/ Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)/ Buen Amigo/ Dance Cadaverous/ Effi/ Weer is een dag voorbij; 46:07. www.cuneiformrecords.com
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