Armstrong

Armstrong introduces the group Loos with an album of music (and media) with results that are not readily available to the senses. Each piece is an individual concept that is staged; the instruments frame each act in addition to being actors. Vocal sounds are often used as well. The opener, "FTE.1 (Damnila)," tweaks and alters a reading of Volt's script Amoooore, while "FTE.3 (Life/Death)" incorporates soundbites of Sun Ra speaking. Other tracks find the musicians joined by vocalist Dennis Rudge. In addition to Rudge, Loos includes multi-reedist and electronics man Peter van Bergen (who has recorded with Lawrence "Butch" Morris), pianist Gerald Bouwhuis (Bang on a Can), guitarist Huib Emmer, drummer Johan Faber, and Patricio Wang on electric bass and guitar. Most of these musicians have not appeared on a widely-distributed release before, and none have recorded for Okkadisk, which may alone be enough to qualify this provocative release as one worth checking out. In any case, do not expect a Louis Armstrong tribute, nor any easy handles. This 1999 offering from Loos is full of dissonance, theater, and musical violence (i.e., lots of smacks and punches).