More hot sounds from ECM in the Krakatau vein. Vesala's ensemble Sound & Fury offers alternating doses of sizzling Euro-fusion and more traditionally minded numbers during the full reign of INVISIBLE STORM. "Gordion's Flashes" erupts with mad symphony of horns, keyboards, and drums, suggesting Bill Bruford's Earthworks and even John Zorn's more lucid moments. And then--suddenly, unexpectedly-- there's the soft, Isham-like ruminations of "Shadows on the Frontier."
These varying counterpoints of light and dark illustrate the method behind Sound & Fury's madness. The ensemble seems to relish these odd juxtapositions with a certain amount of glee. INVISIBLE STORM is an arresting slice of improvised-sounding "punk-jazz," played with precision and a demonic spirit. Chilly pseudo-fusion--anarchic and chaotic, though perhaps a bit more garde than avant-garde. - AllMusic
Tracks
1. Sheets and Shrouds (0:36)
2. Murmuring Morning (1:21)
3. Gordion's Flashes (6:29)
4. Shadows on the Frontier (7:56)
5. In the Gate of Another Gate (1:36)
6. Somnamblues (8:40)
7. Sarastus (5:36)
8. The Wedding of All Essential Parts (11:10)
9. The Invisible Storm (7:26)
10. The Haze of the Frost (3:25)
11. Caccaroo Boohoo (6:27)
MATTI RIIKONEN trumpet
JORMA TAPIO alto saxophone, bass clarinet, flutes
PEPA PÄIVINEN soprano, tenor and baritone saxophones, flutes
JOUNI KANNISTO tenor saxophone, flute
JIMI SUMEN guitar
IRO HAARLA piano, harp, keyboards
EDWARD VESALA drums
MARKO YLÖNEN cello (2, 4, 5, 8, 9)
PEKKA SARMANTO bass (11)
MARK NAUSEEF bongos (3)
Recorded May/June 1991 at Sound & Fury Studios, Helsinki
ECM Records - ECM 1461 Germany