Ivo Perelman: Sieiro

This quartet outing features C.T.S.Q. members Dominic Duval and Tomas Ulrich along with drummer Jay Rosen operating in a more typical free jazz vein, Perelman’s high-octane solos met blow for blow by the frenetic, rapid-motion rhythm section. But instead of bonding with Duval’s wild arco machinations Ulrich tends to occupy the frontline along with Perelman, delving into the upper register of his instrument to match the skeins of overblown tenor cries pouring from the leader’s horn. On less fiery tunes like “Santana” Ulrich provides a tender if melancholy counterpoint by displaying a keen sensitivity in the cello’s lower range as well. Perelman’s full-bore attack dominates these three albums and its prevalence has a tendency to also blunt its effectiveness, but there’s no denying, whether good or bad, that few musicians today put so much of themselves into their solos.