David Boykin-Transolo; Sonic Healing Ministries #026, 2022

 

Midwest-based practitioner of improvisational izzness David Boykin first came across Disaster Amnesiac's perceptual radar about a decade ago through Dusty Groove, the Chicago based record store. Boykin gets lots of love there, plus distribution of his Sonic Healing Ministries label's releases. Deservedly so, as David makes great Jazz music that bridges the gaps between Bop, New Thing, and later improvised modes, all from aesthetics that are clear and relatable. 

Boykin's recent CD, Transolo, draws from the Improvised Music side of his musical world. Over five tracks, he plays either unaccompanied bass clarinet or drum set, in a very live setting. Disaster Amnesiac can't figure out if there's an actual physical audience in attendance, but I can clearly hear him put down the horn, move over to his drums, and vice versa. 

David's bass clarinet style is characterized by ample use of multiphonic lines, which gives the listener plenty of voices to hear within many played movements and phrases. His being a Jazz player of the post-Ayler continuum also allows room for plenty of "talking" notes, growls, squeals, squalling, and smears, along with more traditional melodic statements. All of these moves blend in pretty seamlessly; his adeptness with the bass clarinet comes across. It's been tough for Disaster Amnesiac to not compare Boykin's playing herein with Eric Dolphy, and to a lesser extent Anthony Braxton, for those two have made such definitive statements with the bass clarinet. That said, Boykin's tones are not as other worldly as Dolphy's, a bit lower in their elemental timbres; his Blues feel is a bit more audible than Braxton's. He's got his own voice going with it. 

The pieces on Transolo in which Boykin plays the drums are particularly fascinating. At times he utilizes an "all over" approach, skittering around on the skins and metals. At others, he seems to focus intently onto one particular aspect, cymbal bells or side head cracks on the snare. He shows real prowess with a full set of drums throughout, pulling out great tom tom tones and pairing them with ride cymbal drones. Extra points for cowbell hits as well! Drummers interested or involved with Free Improvisation will want to take note of how a player who usually takes on the melodic/harmonic roles within a group uses the drums, these examples could prove useful to them. 

All told, Transolo is a cool, intimate glimpse into the solo workings of a committed instrumental player of deep pedigree within the Jazz scene. No doubt, David Boykin will continue pushing his muses with releases such as it. Can you keep up?