Axolotl

180 gram vinyl lp

Don't be put off by the title – as these guys aren't abrasive in the way that some noise act might be – and instead, they've got this really complex way of spinning out improvised sounds on an array of instruments – all in a spirit that's very much like the German work on the FMP label at the time!

Axolotl are much more obscure – as a French trio, they were more overlooked – but they really share an ear for the best free improvisation that was exploding in the hippest scenes in Europe by the end of the 70s – served up here in a two-reed lineup that has Jacques Oger on tenor, baritone, and other reeds – and Etienne Brunet on alto, bass clarinet, and more – accompanied by guitarist Marc Duford. As you can imagine, with a lineup like that, there's plenty of fresh sounds within – delivered on shorter tracks that really keep their focus, with titles that include "Illusion", "Ombre Pilee", "Suave", "Dehors", "Paris Froisse", "Trottoirs Defunts", and "Couloir".

PERSONNEL:

• Jacques Oger - (tenor & baritone sax)
• Marc Dufourd - (guitar)
• Etienne Brunet - (alto sax, bass clarinet)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Ombre Pilée
• A2. Illusion
• A3. D'Autres Seuls
• A4. Reflets Infirmes
• A5. Suave

• SIDE B
• B1. Trottoirs Défunts
• B2. Ozone. Flocon. Torsion
• B3. Paris Froissé
• B4. Couloir
• B5. Oreiller
• B6. Apnée. Nuit
• B7. Dehors