Lina Allemano's Ohrenschmaus & Andrea Parkins - Flip Side

"Ohrenschmaus" is a German word that means "something that sounds very nice and pleasant, and that makes you happy", or liberally translated as "ear candy" or "a feast for the ears". 

"Flip Side" is the second album of one of Canadian trumpeter Lina Allemano's several ensembles, next to the Lina Allemano Four, Titanium Riot, and Bloop. The artist is moving regularly between Toronto and Berlin, and this is her "Berlin ensemble", with - next to herself - Norwegian Dan Peter Sundland on electric bass, and German Michael Griener on drums. The wonderul Andrea Parkins joins on three tracks on accordion, objects & electronics. 

The result is a real treat for the ears. The trio and quartet move in the dreamlike zone between compositions and improvisation, between thematic lines and total freedom. All pieces have a clear thematic focus and core, and the musicians make their sounds weave organic tapestries around them. 

The tracks are called "Sidetrack", "Signal", "Heartstrings", "Sideswipe", "Stricken", "The Line", and "Sidespin". They are of medium length, clocking between four and six minutes each, little miniatures each with its own character and sound. Some are a little 'messy' on purpose, especially with Parkins' electronics thrown into the mix, yet it works really well. The titles suggest this being a little bit "off mark", not really on the target but close enough, while at the same time expressing the emotional and stylistic power of the music. The lead voice is of course the trumpet, and Allemano's mastership on the instrument is remarkable, from pure classical tones to emotional jazzy phrases and explorative try-outs. Yet the whole band is excellent. It's remarkable how close Sundland and Griener are to Allemano's musical concepts. And if only on three tracks - well balanced on the first, the middle track and the last - Andrea Parkins adds the right amount of additional unconventional sounds to the whole. Some pieces are weird, such as "Sidespin", and others, such as "Stricken" present us with a beautiful bluesy ballad. It's all a pleasure for the mind, for the heart and for the ears: risky, recalcitrant, smart and coherent. It's a treat from beginning to end. 

Ohrenschmaus? Yes, definitely Ohrenschmaus!