Alma Tree: Sonic Alchemy Suprema

  Percussion ensembles have been a viable format for improvisers at least since Art Blakey’s series of albums made for Columbia and Blue Note in the late Fifties. Swiss pianist George Gruntz teamed with five percussionists for his 1977 ECM release titled Percussion Profiles. And let’s not forget Pieces Of Time, a 1983 collaboration by Kenny Clarke, Milford Graves, Andrew Cyrille, and Famoudou Don Moye. And of course, there’s the mighty M’Boom ensemble, founded by Max Roach. To that illustrious list, add Sonic Alchemy Suprema, a vibrant new release from the percussion trio Alma Tree, featuring Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Vasco Trilla, and Pedro Melo Alves. The veteran Moses is no stranger to drum-centric projects. He played on Dave Liebman’s 1974 album Drum Ode, and performed duets with drummer Billy Martin on Drumming Birds in 1987. On five tracks, the percussion trio is joined by a saxophone trio with João Pedro Brandão, José Soares and Julius Gabriel. With the credits indicating positions (left, right, and center), Sonic Alchemy Suprema is especially savored on headphones. Most of the pieces were created by the percussionists, while the delicate One With Infinite Spaces and the murky Prayer were composed by Moses. Drums, cymbals struck and scraped, gongs, frame drums, bells and more are the tools for this trio’s cheerful racket. The horns add some spice to the proceedings, usually providing a sustained drone to underpin the drummers. Particularly fine are the three pieces featuring each of the percussionists (Alma Ra Kalam, Alma Pedro, and Alma Vasco), the somber and slow-moving Cosmic Weaving Loom, the longest piece here at just over seven minutes, the aggressive Animal Instinct, and the closing Soaring Leaf, a rambunctious improvisation that finally allows the horn section to cut loose. Snippets of dialog and laughter at various points reinforce the good feelings that abounded in the studio and are palpable in the group’s endeavors. Definitely recommended. 

Carimbo Porta Jazz PJ 099; Ra Kalam Bob Moses (d, perc: right) Vasco Trilla (d, perc: center) Pedro Melo Alves (d, perc: left) On * add João Pedro Brandão (as, fl : center) José Soares (as: right) Julius Gabriel (ts; left); Porto, Portugal, May 30, 2022; Opening/ One With Infinite Space#*/ Alma Ra Kalam/ An Ominous Odyssey/ Prayer#*/ An Eerie Garden Sighting/ High Spirits/ Dusk To Dawn Animalia*/ Cosmic Weaving Loom/ Plate Waltzing/ Alma Pedro/ Animal Instinct/ Dance of the Celestial Madmen*/ Alma Vasco/ Soaring Leaf*; 56:27. pedromeloalves.bandcamp.com/music