Ariel Kalma - Le Temps Des Moissons

Dual sax-uality

Recorded in 1975 and originally released in a run of 1,000 LPs – which now sell for silly money – this is the first official reissue for this surprising album. In the early 70s Kalma travelled to India to learn modal music and singing. Upon his return he recorded this album using his primary instrument, the saxophone. Le Temps Des Moissons opens with its title track, which is the best on offer here: over 16 minutes of tone scales with a strong Eastern feel. Here the saxophone still sounds as it’s meant to, but never bores, while the music is enlightened by drone-like elements and the extensive use of a wah wah.

The remaining tracks pale a bit in comparison. Here ethnic instruments and percussion accompany the sax, while the music is treated with electronic filters. The brief Fast Road To Nowhere is quite beautiful with its mouth harp and flutes but, by the time we reach the closing track Reternelle, which features multitracked/ multi-looped saxophone, the formula has worn a bit thin. Even Kalma himself advises to adjust the EQ for the frequencies if it all becomes a bit too much. Probably best to try and download the first track somewhere then.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Beta-lactam Ring | MT 189

Reviewed by Freek Kinkelaar
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