konstrukt & joe mcphee: babylon

Turkish free-improv group KonstruKt was formed in 2008 by guitarist Umut Caglar, and since their inception, they've gained notice through their collaborations with such old-guard stalwarts as Evan Parker, Marshall Allen and Peter Brotzmann. The latter introduced them to the legendary Joe McPhee at the Krakow Jazz Autumn festival, and after striking up a friendship, they invited him to join them in Istanbul for a concert in March of 2014. Babylon was recorded the day after he arrived, with no prior rehearsal or discussion, although the seamless meshing could fool anyone into thinking that they were a longtime working group. Caglar came from an electronic music background before delving into free jazz, and it's reflected in the incorporation of moogs & a theremin into the ensemble's arsenal. The music itself swings from space-raga improv to soaring, full-throated anthemic melodies; some sort of Joe Meek jazz world where bird squeal falsettos pierce through a current of drums, only to struggle for breath, come up laughing, and take off far above. McPhee says, 'These guys are the real deal,' and he should know. Download coupon included.