There is relatively little improvisation on this LP, but instead many delightful timbres. Rooyen has a fair solo on Ritz, and Bruninghaus solos extremely well on Chloe.
But Giger’s sensitive drum solo on Picture is just one element of the symmetrical pattern of contrasting tone colours which Weber builds up. In this piece he relies heavily on ostinato keyboard scale passages which cross over the underlying 15/8 and 7/8 bass riffs. But he avoids monotony by tempo changes (including a brief luscious slow passage with high voice and cellos) and various revoicings (electric pianos replaced by acoustic etc.) And there is a central acoustic piano duet, making the most of a beautifully sonorous instrument.
Little swing here, but some exquisite textures. The influence of Ravel (indicated in the album’s title) is excellently used on this LP.
Discography
More Colours; The Colours Of Chloe; An Evening With Vincent van Ritz; No Motion Picture
Weber (bs/cello/ocarina): Rainer Bruninghaus (pno/synthesizer); Peter Giger (dm/pen): Ralf Hubner (dm ‘Chloe’ only); Ack van Rooyen (flg-hn). Cellos of Sudfunk Symphony Orch., Stuttgart. Voices of Weber and Gisela Schauble. Ludwigsburg, December 1973.
(ECM1042 £2.99)
