Electronic experimentation and total improvisation can be dangerously appealing to amateurs who can't yet consistently play any one instrument or style, and want to shortcut into 'making music' without the prerequisite work. When this happens, what comes out of an instrument at the word 'Go' is far less interesting -- even laughable -- in the hands of a novice musician.
But when excellent musicians who are also seasoned improvisers decide to improvise what a treat it can be. Happily, this debut release by the trio project Konk Pack is such an album. With Big Deep, Tim Hodgkinson (electronics, reeds, guitar), Roger Turner (drums, percussion) and Thomas Lehn (analogue synth) create a constantly engaging, ever-morphing soundscape that is surprisingly active, in contrast to some of Hodgkinson's more minimal projects. Konk Pack takes the listener on a reckless journey through the many corridors of a music-lover's brain, with all sorts of snippets emerging from the dynamic fray. Listening leaves no doubt that Lehn, Hodgkinson and Turner are lovers and manipulators of sound, with an energetic focus on creation and interplay. Add to this the musicians' sensitive ears for the many colors and effects of the wide world of sound, and you get an outrageously good sampling of what modern improvisation can be. Big Deep is also a great place to check out the under-documented, excellent drumming of Roger Turner.