Sarost is a brand-new trio comprising Larry Stabbins (saxophones), Paul Rogers (double bass), and Mark Sanders (drums & percussion), but although this is a new band the three have been well regarded improvisors for the last forty years and have worked together in various combinations. It would be very wrong indeed to think of this as a group comprising a rhythm section and a soloist, as instead what we have are three musicians all in a fight to be heard, with incredible intensity as they push the music to the limits, along with their instruments. I am sure Larry at times is playing notes that only dogs can hear, such us the way he is stretching what is possible to get out of a sax, while Paul switches between plucking and bowing, providing very different elements, and Mark is all over the place on the kit using not only the drums heads but anything he can hit if it provides him with the sound he needs.
Recorded in just one session, we get three originals along with one written with Keith Tipett, and there is no doubt that they all instinctively know each other and where they will be, using space as an ally, and bringing forth emotion and atmosphere in such a manner that at one time I was convinced that if the instrumentation was changed then what I was listening to could be described as black metal. I have only once previously thought that about cutting-edge jazz and that was an album by the much-missed Robin Taylor, so it is a very unusual experience. This is a release which would not sound out of place on Iapetus, Cuneiform, Discus or Moonjune, but instead is the first time I have come across Jazz Now Records, and if the rest of their releases are as good as this then they are going to be a very interesting discovery indeed. If you want your jazz to be right on the edge, then this is for you.
Rating: 8/10
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Track list:
1. First Lights 14:51
2. 67 South 17:30
3. 67 North 08:10
4. Boreas Curtains 10:54
Links:
https://www.larrystabbins.com/sarost
https://jazzinbritain.org/