THE bigger BLACK BOX THEORY - UN LIEU
T
Jazz’halo
The Black Box Theory is a project centered on total improvisation, created by Luca Perciballi and Ivan Valentini. They have released two albums as a duo and for this third album they expand to a quintet. Perciballi covers electric and classical guitar, electronics, a mysterious range of "found objects", "small sound generators" and sound editing. Valentini plays alto and soprano saxes and more found objects.
They are joined by Paolo Botti on viola and banjo, Francesco Guerri on cello and Nelide Bandello, drums. During the album there are also evocative vocal sounds which reminded me of "Eight songs for a mad king" by Peter Maxwell Davies; unfortunately the sleeve notes don't reveal who produces these but they add to the atmosphere and mystery of this fine album.
All the musicians play an equally essential part in this recording, although the banjo is a lot less apparent than the other instruments – a slight disappointment to me because I always feel its special resonance is underused in modern jazz!
The album starts quietly with scraped metal sounds and rattles, then instrument sounds emerge gradually, twangs and frantic vocalisations building tension. A duet between bowed cello and viola leads to chimes and warm chords on sax and guitar.
The band manages to evade the free-improvisation hazards of congested ensembles, random aggression or bland harmoniousness. Better still, they create a narrative that builds and transitions in expressive ways, creating a kind of magic which is hard to pin down. Lyrical sections contrast with dense textures which evoke bees on heat. Whilst many sections are in free tempo, others resolve into dancing rhythms with a latin flavour. This keeps things moving and generates enough energy to keep the listener glued to the speakers - or headphones.
Electronic effects always sound organic and integrated, so it is mostly impossible to tell them apart from acoustic sounds. Around half way through there is a spacious duet for sax and drums which builds to a powerful climax as bowed strings and guitar join. Things then subside to a textured drone over which drums develop a pattern with soft beaters. Another contribution to the rich texture is the impression that string and wind instruments move closer and further from the microphones. Harmonious sections and tense atonal episodes alternate; the guitar also ranges from clean, chiming chords to extreme distortion.
The album is so inventive that 40 minutes pass in a flash. It's hard to capture the subtlety and strong sense of narrative in words – much better to stream the album on Bandcamp and experience this wonderful music first hand.
© Stephen Godsall, 2025
Stephen Godsall is a multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Southern England. To find out more go to https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGodsall
