The Gasser 3 is Jürg Gasser on tenor saxophone, Peter K. Frey on bass, and Dieter Ulrich on drums. As near as I can tell, Espresso Galattico is Gasser’s first recording since working with the large Swiss band Skyline back in 1991. His gruff sound and investigatory approach to improvisation are beautifully complemented by bassist Frey, most often heard as half of the long-running Kontrabassduo Daniel Studer/Peter K. Frey, and drummer Ulrich, who has been active on the Swiss free jazz scene since his recording debut with the Urs Blochlinger Tettet in 1985. This trio makes quiet and tightly focused freely improvised music, with the occasional foray into more intense modes of expression. On temptations and off we go, we encounter some powerhouse saxophone playing by Gasser, who’s clearly been hard at work while staying away from recording microphones for more than a quarter century. There is a decided emphasis on rapid responses within the trio, and while the notion that improvisers are having a musical conversation might be a trifle clichéd, that idea is effectively exemplified by units like the Gasser Trio. It’s always a pleasure to hear committed musicians in an egalitarian foray into free improvisation, and that’s precisely what Espresso Galattico delivers. Recommended.
Leo CD LR 845; Jürg Gasser (ts) Peter K. Frey (b) Dieter Ulrich (d, buegel); poss. Friedrichshafen, Germany, August 22-23, 2015; espresso galattico/ temptations/ ewig währt am längsten/ slow fox/ softly, but .../ talking/ joke/ off we go/ ciao; 51:58. www.leorecords.com
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