"The Catch of a Ghost" is a captivating live album by the powerhouse trio of Peter Brötzmann, Maâlem Mokhtar Gania, and Hamid Drake, released on May 12, 2020, via I dischi di angelica. This album is a testament to the extraordinary fusion of free jazz and avant-garde music, featuring the raw, unbridled energy of Brötzmann's tenor saxophone and tarogato, the hypnotic rhythms of Drake's drums, and the enchanting sounds of Gania's guembri and voice.
Recorded live at the Centro di Ricerca Musicale / Teatro San Leonardo in Bologna, Italy, during the AngelicA Festival Internazionale di Musica in May 2019, this album captures the essence of a live performance, with all its spontaneity and intensity. The four-track album spans over an hour and twelve minutes, offering a deep dive into the collaborative genius of these three musicians.
Brötzmann, known for his fierce and expressive style, pairs beautifully with the trance-inducing sounds of Gania's guembri, a traditional Moroccan instrument, and Drake's versatile drumming. The result is a unique blend of European free jazz, American improvisation, and African Gnawa music, creating a sonic landscape that is both familiar and exhilaratingly new.
The album opens with the title track, "The Catch of a Ghost," a sprawling 33-minute exploration of sound and rhythm. It is followed by "Almost with the Sun," a more introspective piece that showcases the trio's dynamic interplay. "Sound That Shimmers" and "Dip and Dive" round out the album, each offering a different facet of the group's collective creativity.
Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or a curious newcomer, "The Catch of a Ghost" promises an unforgettable listening experience, filled with the kind of raw, unfiltered energy that only live performances can deliver.
Vinylscout