Binker Golding & Elliot Galvin: Ex Nihilo

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Binker Golding (ts)
Elliot Galvin (p, synth)

Label:

ByrdOut

April/2019

Media Format:

LP

Catalogue Number:

BYR 016

RecordDate:

11 April 2018

Collaborations with Evan Parker notwithstanding, the sax-drums duo of Binker and Moses have never quite committed to the art of free improv – generally preferring to hang on to at least a suggestion of rhythmic certainty. As such, this duo set with keyboardist Elliot Galvin represents our first opportunity to hear saxophonist Binker Golding fully immersed in the crucible of spontaneity. Galvin, too, is better known for working in more structured contexts, whether as part of Laura Jurd’s Dinosaur or navigating his own ludic concoctions. It’s gratifying, then, that the result of their encounter is an intimate and rewarding suite of imaginative improvisations, with both participants displaying an inquisitive attitude towards the sounds their respective instruments can summon. Where Galvin sets up a tautly prepared ping and tensile twangs, Golding responds with mosquito whine and muffled muttering. When Golding falls back on the rhythmic approach, setting up a tight, looping – almost mechanical – phrase, Galvin joins in with counterintuitive temple chimes and solemn booms. Later, when Galvin rolls out a low-end pulse, Golding pierces the gloom with a sustained searchlight tone. Tonnes of fun.

Follow us

Jazzwise Print

  • Latest print issues

From £5.83 / month

Subscribe

Jazzwise Digital Club

  • Latest digital issues
  • Digital archive since 1997
  • Download tracks from bonus compilation albums during the year
  • Reviews Database access

From £7.42 / month

Subscribe

Subscribe from only £5.83

Never miss an issue of the UK's biggest selling jazz magazine.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Jazzwise magazine.

Find out more