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One might say that freestyle improvisational Jazz, in all its forms, has never really evolved since its humble beginnings in the gritty urban clubs and backrooms of the jazz-elite underground; the art of improvisation isn't really a style, but more of an exploration of art and theory.

The ensemble of "Permanent Flow" was founded by mastermind bassist Joscha Oetz in 1995, and soon collected permanent members saxophonist Andreas Wagner and percussionist Greg Stuart.


Now in 2004, Accretion Recordings has released the newest live improvisational recording of Oetz/Wagner/Stuart; the album is a 4-movement journey into the deep and roving world of the trio's artistic psyche. Oetz's contrabass drones behind the movement of "Complex Geometry," while Wagner and Stuart play on the other as the composition builds to a ferocious grind.

"Membranen" sees Wagner taking the lead role with his almost middle-eastern styled backdrop of softly reflected saxophone. The opus continues with another minimally grinding feat of movement as the trio manipulates their instruments to convey one of the most interesting pieces on the disc. On "Straight Curves," Oetz's lone plucked bass is heard throughout the introduction, and is shortly accompanied by Wagner's tenor saxophone. Stuart then enters as the composition develops – then dissolves into a minimal wasteland only to give way to the enraged percussive finale. Taking in, and continuing with the energy of the previous conclusion, the trio endures with "Verzahnt." Stuart and Oetz belt out explosive riffs of acoustic instrumentation, but above all, Wagner's forceful expulsions of air upon his reed give the most fervent and memorable performance.

Freestyle Jazz (for the most) part isn't for everyone, and the experimental freestyle Jazz of this new century can sometimes seem a bit choice. One thing is for certain, these three acoustically driven artists are extraordinary with the execution of their art form, and I certainly look forward to hearing their future recordings.