LIP is an “open formation project” (i.e. without fixed personnel) led by the Portuguese saxophonist Rodrigo Amado. Though the odd phrase “improvisation players” leads one to expect Live_LX Meskla to be an example of European free improv, it’s actually a quirky, quick-witted freebop session. Most of the pieces are performed by the high-pitched combination of two sopranos and an alto, giving the music a curiously droll character: all three players have a keen sense of the ridiculous, and they cultivate a light, pinched tone that recalls both Anthony Braxton and Steve Lacy. If this is musical “dialogue,” it must be from some quicksilver Restoration comedy, all cheeky ripostes, doubletakes, self-important asides and rapidfire quarrelling and making up and falling out again. There’s no bluster here, nor prolixity: following the cue of Ornette Coleman perhaps (cf. the track-title “This Is Our Music”) these improvisations are short and focussed, showing the five players’ remarkable ability to improvise structurally. “Song for Bluiett,” a sax-and-rhythm feature for the leader’s baritone, is an impressively eloquent and disciplined example of instant composition, moving logically from unaccompanied oratory to an Ornettish ballad to a driving conclusion. The rhythm section of Pedro Gonçalves and Acácio Salero is spot-on throughout the disc, never overplaying, keeping things propulsive without feeling the urge to fill up all the cracks in the music. Salero proves himself an admirably light and bombast-free drummer even when playing 4/4 rock and funk patterns.

The concert performance documented on this CD is only a little over 40 minutes long, and it’s short, sweet and perfectly rounded. The disc also sports an enjoyable hidden bonus track, which finds Amado blowing alto over some rapidfire hand-drumming (Salero’s?). The entire disc is strongly recommended; one hopes there will be much more in future from Amado and his compatriots.

Nate Dorward

Cadence, February 2003