Broken Bridge

Prior to his work in electronics with Giuseppe Ielasi and others, Sicilian-born Domenico Sciajno was a highly regarded improvising bassist, and this astonishing solo recording offers ample evidence as to why. Although there is a whole lot of extended technique in use here (Sciajno studied with bass virtuoso Stefano Scodanibbio), these selections aren't merely pyrotechnical showpieces. The opening "Ugly Francis (Pt. I)," for example, is an investigation of ultra-low, rumbling arco tones, all grit and primeval sinew as, over the course of its 13 minutes, Sciajno plumbs deeper and deeper into his instrument's cavernous soul. In fact, he tends to stick to the lower registers throughout much of this disc, often treating the bass as at least a partial percussion tool. Most importantly, though, his ideas for each work are solid, to the point, and extremely well considered. There's no leaping about in search of inspiration; this fellow comes prepared. Some pieces, like "Flaglick," even have tinges of an underlying romanticism and poignancy. At the end of the final track, another awesome investigation of the nether regions that resembles the subsonic respirations of a titan, one abruptly realizes what the title of the disc refers to as brute pressure of the bow snaps the instrument's bridge. This is an astonishing performance, easily able to stand in the company of solo efforts by musicians of the caliber of Barry Guy, Joelle Leandre, or Dave Holland. Highly recommended.