I Heart Lung “Axes Only”

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DWMTG “Untitled, No. 9″

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When the Ecstatic Jazz Duos LP series was first conceived in late 2007, I Heart Lung was the absolute first duo that came to mind. Both musicians are solid in their own right with projects that further their crafts — Chris Schlarb (guitar, electronics) writes video game soundtracks and performs live interpretations of his stunning solo effort, Twilight & Ghost Stories, with some of the most talented improvisers in the country, and Tom Steck (drums) is an accomplished painter. Last year, I Heart Lung released the critically-acclaimed Interoceans on Asthmatic Kitty (vinyl forthcoming on Thor’s Rubber Hammer), a meditative rumble based on lush drones and rounded out with contributions from guitarist Nels Cline, trumpeter Kris Tiner, pedal steel guitarist Dave Easley and many others. By comparison, I Heart Lung’s contributions to the Ecstatic Jazz Duos series sound downright stripped down. These are three symphonies for riots, swords drawn at the hall of the mountain king with the spirits of Yes and Sonny Sharrock leading the way.

Named Thurston Moore’s favorite bass/drums duo a few years back, DWMTG is the collaboration between percussionist Dale W. Miller and electric bassist Tony Gordon. The two met in a studio and before long Gordon was giving the young indie-pop drummer free-improv lessons. DWMTG’s side features ten miniatures that scramble through the quieter side of improv. The percussion is fiercely restrained — Miller mostly focuses on one thing at a time, be it a cymbal, an electric toothbruth, even a rubber ducky. Gordon is intensely intimate with his instrument — scratching and splintering his bass with a tension that at times gives the illusion of multiple dubs.

Artwork and series design by Cristopher Cichocki.

This is the second installment in the Ecstatic Jazz Duos LP series.
Previously: Talibam! / Wasteland Jazz Unit
Next: Valerio Cosi & Enzo Franchini / Jeremiah Cymerman & Matthew Welch