Over the last two years I have hardly listened to another artist as much as
John Butcher (okay, except for Dave Rempis). No wonder, since the
71-year-old saxophonist sets an almost relentless pace when it comes to his
releases, with ten in 2025 alone and another CD already scheduled for 2026.
One could actually just listen to his music and be quite busy with that. One
of his latest projects is a trio with vocal artist Ute Wassermann and
drummer Martin Blume – an unusual lineup, but then again, what about John
Butcher’s projects is usual? Wassermann studied fine arts at the University
of Fine Arts in Hamburg and also completed classical voice training. Her
work combines composition, improvisation, sound, and performance art. Blume
has been one of the most important drummers in improvisational music for
around 40 years. Through the use of numerous objects, including those not
typically associated with music, he constantly expands the sound,
distinguished by his pronounced quasi-compositional sensitivity. The
musicians’ openness to all possible soundscapes naturally provides excellent
conditions for interesting music.
What is immediately striking Leaflight: Close Callsis the
incredible range of Wassermann’s voice, which at first is not necessarily
recognizable as such. It oscillates between a second saxophone, bird
whistles, wind noises, a singing saw, a synthesizer, or even a plectrum
running along the strings of a guitar. This makes the music seem powerful
and exciting, but also mature and well thought-out. Martin Blume contributes
to the improvisation as an equal solo partner, his drumming carrying the
other two on his hands as if he was a magician. Of course, this all sounds
more like new classical music, especially when Wassermann’s voice is clearly
recognizable as such at the end of the first piece. But who cares about
categories or genres, if everything is so wonderfully refined and elegant,
but completely delicate and restrained. Especially “Call 2”, the longest
piece, is a perfect example of this.
Most of all, the backbone of this album is Butcher’s saxophone playing. In
“Call 8” it also presents itself as powerful and earthy, though not loud at
all, testing the limits of hearing as so often (even more clearly in
combination Wassermann’s voice), but there is an undeniable emotional depth
and sheer beauty in his playing that goes beyond technique and concept. He
is therefore often compared to Evan Parker, and not without reason. Like
Parker, he has revolutionized saxophone playing with his sonic explorations
in solo recordings, but also in other formations. Butcher’s music is always
connected to the space around it (here the LOFT in Cologne). In the case of
Leaflight: Close Calls, the music has almost esoteric, even
psychedelic moments. It floats through the room and carries you away without
the listener noticing. A truly wonderful recording.
Leaflight: Close Calls is available as a CD and as a download. You
can buy and listen to it on Martin Blume’s Bandcamp site: