Setting the agenda this week in terms of new tracks is 'Sankalpa' from upcoming album Aria out in May on Edition by Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma. A second under 5 minutes it is the double bass you predominantly hear first plodding along with drums in lock step behind. Then the sax comes in. It's a high register melodic shard at first which is then harmonised by guitar (Ben Monder). The double bass of Robert Landfermann continues its own melody behind. Then drums, played by Tristan Renfrow, seem so independent rhythmically. The word 'Sankalpa' itself is from Sanskrit and its meaning is wrapped inside a vow, or intention - a determination above all for resolution through personal will power. How the tune of that name will continue depends on the harmonics underpinning it all but it is unclear as to how things will go. Then the sax drops down lower and the middle of the tune takes on a mystery. You'd think that Postma is about to solo at this point fully. She kind of does. But the others keep their separate approaches going too and keep the group play alive. It then becomes like collective improvisation with four lines working things out independently and yet the whole thing functioning like an aural collage. Monder does a repeated riff pattern, more rockist later on and he drives through a few ideas that are like an electric guitar work-out accompanied by the drums. Both guitar and sax join in a sub melody and then we are back to the original melody guitar and sax and the whole thing makes perfect sense - the four players cracking the cryptic code. Tineke Postma, photo: Dave Stapleton
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