WOW 007

Trio Modu
Nine Lives

Trio Modu’s first release is a bass-free improvisational journey through a kaleidoscopic set of original compositions from saxophonist Huw Johnson and German-born contemporary music composer and guitarist Knud Stüwe.

The pieces span a broad range of emotional drama from Early riser's mercilessly driving swing, to the "rhapsodic, three-part suite centred around a raucous slice of gypsy punk" that is the final track: Strange days. The compositions demonstrate sophistication, confidence and panache.

The absence of a bass pares down the sound and gives great freedom to the music, especially harmonically and during improvisation. When the saxophone drops out, the guitar and drums are duetting – there is no "soloist" here. Check out Stüwe's elegant Bill Frisell-like guitar improvisation framed almost orchestrally by the rich dynamic of Andrew Tween's free-wheeling drums on The whole story

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