Microplastique Unleashes Bold, Eclectic Soundscapes in blare blow bloom! – A Live Album Celebrating Improvisation and Musical Innovation
Microplastique, led by the visionary Adam Shead, presents blare blow bloom!, a daring new album capturing the essence of their 2024 U.S. tour. With 10 tracks recorded live in concert across five cities—Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Lafayette, and Indianapolis—this album reveals the ensemble's extraordinary ability to transform, reinterpret, and energize each composition, night after night.
From the moment the album kicks off with the fiery "blare," listeners are thrust into the raw energy of microplastique’s world. Known for their unrelenting sound and inventive use of "tiny instruments," the band harnesses every ounce of intensity, pushing the limits of volume and texture in a performance that elicits a cathartic audience reaction. Following the explosive opening, the second track, "blow," delivers a percussive solo that blurs the line between the minimalist precision of Roscoe Mitchell’s small percussion and Tony Oxley’s dense, textural playing.
But blare blow bloom! isn’t all about high-octane moments. Track four offers a striking shift, as the ensemble creates a beautifully sparse sonic landscape—an ethereal ballad that highlights lush, improvised harmonies between flute, melodica, and harmonica. The juxtaposition of these contrasting energies defines the album’s dynamic nature. By track nine, the ensemble dives deep into minimalist territory, drawing inspiration from Steve Reich’s iconic percussion works. As the album progresses, the pieces continue to surprise, with the final track resembling a Charles "Threadgill-inspired" composition that evolves from a slow, deliberate march into a full-throttle swing, with the horns of Ben Zucker and Molly Jones weaving together in rhapsodic dialogue.
blare blow bloom! is a sonic journey that is as playful as it is profound, blending grounded improvisation with otherworldly moments. It's a unique fusion of sound that speaks to both the absurd and the serious, inviting listeners to experience a captivating world of musical invention.
Meet the Creators Behind Microplastique
The ensemble brings together a diverse group of musicians, each with a distinct voice and background.
Ben Zucker – A celebrated improviser and multi-instrumentalist, Zucker is known for their "stirring compositions" and "lifetime of musical curiosity" (Chicago Reader). With contributions across North America and the UK, Zucker has played a pivotal role in experimental music scenes, working with a wide range of artists and frequently performing on vibraphone, brass, and electronics. Zucker’s mastery of improvisation is a cornerstone of the ensemble’s sound.
Molly Jones – A versatile performer and composer, Jones blends her experience in jazz, new music, and Balkan brass with her background in software engineering and mindfulness practices. She brings a unique electroacoustic flavor to the group, adding depth with saxophones, flutes, and electronics. Her work is characterized by playfulness, attention, and a deep connection to sound exploration.
Josh Harlow – A pianist and keyboardist with a diverse musical palate, Harlow is a fixture in Chicago’s music scene. Known for his work with groups like Teiku and Submerser, Harlow’s collaborations with notable musicians including Wadada Leo Smith and Michael Formanek have solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative keyboardist. His contributions to microplastique inject a soulful complexity into the ensemble’s sound.
Adam Shead – A driving force behind microplastique, Shead is an acclaimed composer, improviser, and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans continents. Having collaborated with legendary musicians such as Roscoe Mitchell and Marilyn Crispell, Shead’s compositions for microplastique are bold, experimental, and deeply rooted in improvisational exploration. As a permanent member of the NYC-based band Cellular Chaos and the founder of multiple ensembles, Shead continues to push boundaries with his creative endeavors.
blare blow bloom!
blare blow bloom! is more than just an album—it’s a testament to microplastique’s ability to take risks and create a musical world where chaos and control coalesce. With performances that transform nightly, the ensemble’s improvisational prowess and inventive use of sound bring each track to life in its own unique way. Whether diving into minimalist exploration or pushing the boundaries of texture and volume, microplastique’s blare blow bloom! is an album that’s as bold as it is captivating, capturing the essence of their live energy and pushing the limits of what’s possible in modern jazz and experimental music.
Tracklist Highlights:
- blare – A fiery opening full of raw energy and bombastic sound.
- blow – A percussion solo that delves into dense, textural minimalism.
- Track 4 – A sparse and balladic exploration, with lush, improvised harmonies.
- Track 9 – Minimalism meets percussion ensemble, inspired by Steve Reich.
- Final Track – A Threadgill-inspired composition that transitions from march to up-tempo swing.
blare blow bloom! is a must-listen for fans of experimental jazz, modern improvisation, and the thrilling possibilities of live music.
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