"Gigantomachia" - The Naked Future

ESP-Disk' brings us a great treat. From my city of Portland, OR, The Naked Future is a powerful quartet with a lot to say. The Naked Future first caught my attention when ESP-Disk' posted a feature on Arrington de Dionyso on their Facebook page. I recognized the photo of him playing bass clarinet from my experience with an exquisite player performing in front of Portland's Schnitzer Concert Hall. This was happening before Ornette Coleman took the stage in 2008. Whaling like Albert Ayler I am 89% sure it was Arrington de Dionyso.

The textured and vibrant compositions could fit right into the 60s. In fact, when the album ended, a record by The New York Art Quartet came up next in my iTunes and I barely noticed the subtle transition. Beautifully and delicately conducted by Arrington de Dionyso (of Old Time Relijun), we're provided with assaulting noise and physically mind blowing movements. The quartet gives the presence of a giant orchestra, and even the movements of the titles evolve much like classical compositions. There's a wonderful structure to all of the cuts, yet you get the sense of something being freely constructed at the same moment.

I'm not exactly sure they are from Portland, but definitely from the Pacific Northwest. The session was recorded here in Portland and I'm proud this sound is coming out of the NW. I get a lot of frustration with the Portland music scene and this record brings me great joy. Information is pretty limited on them on the web, I'd love to see a show though.

2008 - ESP Disk'.

Arrington de Dionyso - bass clarinet, contralto clarinet; Thollem McDonas - piano; John Niekrasz - drums; Greg Skloff - bass.