Magnus Granberg, Tetuzi Akiyama

Guitarist Tetuzi Akiyama is an influential improviser who performs inside and outside Japan and has numerous CD releases on Japanese and overseas labels. The five tracks on this CD are improvisational performances by the trio of Akiyama and Swedish musicians Magnus Granberg and Henrik Olsson, studio-recorded when Akiyama visited Stockholm in November 2013. Magnus Granberg is active as a composer through projects such as his own ensemble, Skogen, and as an improviser using mainly the clarinet. Percussionist Henrik Olsson incorporates non-instrument objects, electronics and other elements in creating new types of sonic resonance. On this CD, Akiyama uses acoustic guitar; Granberg, clarinet; and Olsson, percussion, contact microphones, mixing board and loudspeakers. Each musician plays quietly and calmly, as if carefully selecting each sound he produces. These exquisitely spun sounds overlap and sometimes pause for breath.