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Classical Jazz/Blues Theater Dance music times Reviews

Nine Live, 'Sonus Inenarrabilis,' Mulatta Records, a Soundtrack to a Movie that Doesn't Exist [REVIEW]

By Mike Greenblatt mikeg101@ptd.net on Nov 23, 2016 06:22 PM EST

In 2014, Nine Live, a nine-piece ensemble, laid down six John Clark compositions in New York City with clarinet, violin, French Horn, bass, cello, viola, drums, bassoon and keyboards. Sonus Inenarrabilis (Mulatta Records) straddles classical, funk, jazz and instrumental pop.In 2014,

Clark, on French Horn, has written and arranged it all with a sense of the unexpected. The name of his nonet means "undefinable sound." Its instruments are usually in the classical camp (note no sax). But you cannot categorize Clark's compositions. "Die Kreuzotter" could be soundtrack music but there's no movie. "Eviter les Contrefacons" means "avoid imitations." Its Mediterranean classical feel is totally European. "Outage" is more soundtrack music to that non-existent movie, only this time the scene it could conceivably heighten is one of murderous intent. "Turbulence" provides the funk.

It is best listened to if you have no idea what's coming. The gorgeous solo meandering piano of Rob Stephens serves as an intro for the opening "Sibilia Colubri" before it gets elegantly rhythmic. "Freedom's Delight" is a sweet breath of classical fresh air, made all the more ecstatic by its swirling flow and the way the instruments seem to dance around each other.

So who is this John Clark anyway? He's played with McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis and George Russell. He was in the Gil Evans big-band that held court every Monday night at Sweet Basil in 1980s New York City. His range is so exquisite that such diametrically opposed artists as The Paul Winter Consort, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Lovano and Jullius Hemphill have performed and recorded his compositions. He currently serves on the faculty at The Manhattan School of Music.

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TagsJohn Clark, REVIEW, Mulatta Records, Nine Live

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