Review

The Canadian double-bassist Pierre-Yves Martel released a solo-album through Ambiances Magnétiques. This album features 18 short tracks, the longest not clocking over four and a half minutes, in which the prepared double bass is the central issue. Referring to the welcoming of new ideas by John Cage and Derek Bailey, this musician plays his instrument in an unorthodox way. The outcome is a mixture of instrumental blues and improv. sessions. It’s nice to notice how many and varied sounds Martel can create with just one instrument, due to which the atmosphere changes regularly. Sometimes one can’t even believe hearing a double bass, despite the excellent sound quality.