TOHJINBO (WITH DEREK BAILEY)

This album is the (second) work of Ruins duo plus guitarist Derek Bailey. Comparing with more regular Ruins releases, music there is not just extremely complex mix of drumming, bass and occasional vocals, but avant power trio. Sharp and often heavy rocking electric guitar added changed usual Ruins sound quite strongly.

Even if common sound became better balanced, guitar line there is very on the front, and if drummer is still a real partner on improvs, bassist's place is a bit more on the shade. What doesn't mean Ruins duo's role is secondary; this release is still real Ruins recording.

Guitarist Derek Bailey plays energetic, sharp and sometimes aggressive free form guitar jamming/improvs there, filling bigger part of space with his scratching guitar's sound. Interesting that formally similar to free jazz improvisations, his guitar sounds in such way, that it hardly could be tagged as "free jazz" . Possibly, it's "free rock" ...

All album is one big and far not easy accessible experimental improvisation, interesting to listen, with great techniques, showing a bit different Ruins side (as almost equal ,but support band). Music for your head, but hardly the album you will listen very often.

My rating is 3+