Usiskin / Oliver Duo - Usiskin / Oliver Duo (2020)

The two English musicians Max Oliver on electronic cello and Ollie Usiskin on drums are present in London and play in the many occasions available in the great metropolis, not only improvised music, but also rock or pop or whatever comes first. This record is quite special, because this type of duo is not that frequent, so the two explore new territories. Oliver uses the full possibilities of his instrument, played both with the bow and in pizzicato, while the drums are busy with continuous changes of rhythm and speed to manage to make everything very interesting. In the four longest pieces, we average about twelve minutes, the two build compelling and compact improvisations, elsewhere, in short aphorisms, the music becomes more rarefied. In any case, the music develops rich in ideas, between jazz and rock rhythms, between the poignant notes of the cello and the ever-present and pressing drums.