The Squid's Ear Magazine


Bucher / Tan / Countryman: Unaminity (FMR)

Reflecting their evolution as a trio, Swiss drummer Christian Bucher, Filipino bassist Simon Tan, and American alto saxophonist Rick Countryman present a powerful statement of collective freedom, with the album title capturing their progression as a cohesive and expressive unit, highlighted by Bucher's rhythmic mastery, Tan's solid foundation, and Countryman's soulful, dynamic lead.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Christian Bucher-drums

Simon Tan-bass

Rick Countryman-alto saxophone


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Label: FMR
Catalog ID: FMR698-0824
Squidco Product Code: 35503

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2024
Country: UK
Packaging: Digipack - 3 panel
Recorded at Strawberry Jams Studio on July 9th, 2024.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Coherent freedom based on years of trust and commitment. It's our confident, progressive statement that we are evolving our art, without abandoning the core tenets that reference and acknowledge a greater collective movement..."-Rick Countryman



"Bucher is a talented and versatile musician from Switzerland, known for his exceptional rhythmic sensibilities, impeccable technique, and musicality. Christian's drumming style is characterized by a seamless blend of technical proficiency and artistic expression, a strong command over dynamics, a profound sense of grooves, and his ability to listen and respond. He pays close attention to the nuances and dynamics of the music, allowing him to seamlessly interact with the other musicians.

When Tan plays the bass, his rhythmic foundation is solid and unwavering. He locks in with the drummer (Christian Bucher), providing a steady pulse that drives the music forward. His impeccable timing and deep sense of groove create a strong backbone for the ensemble. Tan's melodic sensibilities shine through his playing. He effortlessly explores the intricacies of the bass, navigating complex runs, arpeggios, and melodic variations. Each note he chooses carries intention and adds depth to the overall musical tapestry.

Countryman is an alto saxophonist from the United States whose playing exudes passion and intensity. He effortlessly unleashes a torrent of soulful melodies and expressive improvisations that captivate me. Rick's tone is rich and full-bodied, possessing a warmth that draws you in from the first note. He has exceptional command over the intricacies of the alto saxophone, effortlessly traversing the range of the instrument with impeccable technique and control. His mastery of the instrument, combined with his sheer passion and musicality, elevates his performances to extraordinary heights."-Ann Horton


Artist Biographies

"Christian Bucher (* 1969 in Zug ) is a Swiss drummer in the field of jazz and improvisational music .

From 1990 to 1997, Bucher studied musicology , art history and literature at the University of Bern, and from 1992 to 1997 he studied music at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Zurich (jazz music with Kevin Austin, Tony Renold, Peter Preibisch, diploma). He also attended workshops with Paul Lovens and Billy Cobham and studied with Pierre Favre , Willy Kotoun, Marcel Bernasconi and Andreas Hermann at the Lucerne Music College .

He then continued his post-graduate studies in free improvisation with Walter Fähndrich, Peter K. Frey and Christoph Baumann at the Lucerne Music College (2002-2003). Bucher also worked as a drummer teacher at the music school Horw , Emmen and at the teachers' seminar St. Michael Zug from 2000 to 2005.

Guido Egli and he wrote the music for the two documentary films of Stefan Jäger "From the Ground I Were a Man to Life" and "Steps against the Wind", which was shown on television and at film festivals. Bucher was a co-founder of Jazztrios Nevertheless and a member of the group of 9 artists .

Bucher works as a soloist and plays in duo with BUG, ​​in the duo Bucher / Fehlmann, in the duo ZurBucher and in the band Portobello; He is still involved in projects related to other art genres. As drummer and percussionist he gave solo concerts, partly in connection with painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, performance, architecture, literature, theater and dance.

He has played CDs and has recorded radio and TV recordings as well as festival performances, concert tours and performances, which take him to Australia, Bulgaria, China, Germany, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Slovenia, Spain. South Africa, the USA or Turkey."

-Wikipedia (translated by Google) (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Bucher)
12/18/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Simon Leonardo P. Tan (born August 13, 1970) is a Filipino bassist. Beginning classical guitar lessons at age 13 at the Yamaha School of Music stimulated his later exposure to electric guitar and, inevitably, his interest in the electric bass. He studied the contrabass at the University of the Philippines College of Music from 1988 until 1992, then embarked on a professional musical career. His ability as a multi-genre bass player readily caught attention, notably in the pioneering Manila-based blues band, Lampano Alley, led by the Filipino blues singer and recording artist, Binky Lampano. This was followed by his tenure as bassist and composer with the award-winning Philippine jazz group, WDOUJI.

Simon Tan's influences range from rock to classical, blues and jazz. His influences as a bass instrumentalist include Roscoe Beck, Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Charlie Haden, James Jamerson, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, and John Pattitucci. Notable (Filipino) musical (non-bass) influences include vocalist Binky Lampano and saxophonist Tots Tolentino."

-WikiVisually (http://wikivisually.com/wiki/Simon_Tan)
12/18/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Rick Countryman (January 31, 1957) is an American jazz saxophonist and flautist.

After years attracting little attention as a baritone saxophone player, including an extended sabbatical, Rick made a late-life change to alto sax, at the urging of bassist, Simon Tan. His first recorded session with Simon and Christian Bucher, avant garde drummer from Switzerland, attracted the attention of French label "Improvising Beings" and was released as "Acceptance - Resistance". The recordings received many positive reviews, both in the United States and Europe.

Rick currently now has 9 releases on 4 labels across Europe, Asia, and the United States, including multiple CDs with Japanese improvisational drummer, Sabu Toyozumi, who has made several trips to Manila to perform and record. The music continues to receive positive reviews and airplay. Two recordings were listed in "Gold Dolphy 2018".

Since 2011, Rick has been an active member of the Manila jazz scene. He leads and performs in ensembles on baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, alto flute and bass flute; performing original compositions, as well as free jazz/improvisation, in his own jazz quartets and trios. His style is heavily influenced by Eric Dolphy, Sonny Simmons and the 60s Free Jazz movement. He was a student of Bert Wilson, and considers Michael Bisio and Rick Mandyck early mentors."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Countryman)
12/18/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Meditations on Immigration 3:54

2. Beauty in the Darkness 6:24

3. Unanimity 2:57

4. Derivational Morphemes 4:48

5. Loneliness of the Leaves 4:12

6. Concurrency 5:36

7. First Bird 6:58

8. Circumstances 2:00

9. Apparitions 4:56

10. The State of Being 5:13

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
Asian Improvisation & Jazz
Trio Recordings
New in Improvised Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers

Search for other titles on the label:
FMR.


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The Squid's Ear Magazine

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