Search - Elton Dean :: Headless Quartet

A quartet recording from 1998. ED retains Roberto Bellatalla but brings in Tony Bianco on drums, Alex Maguire completes the quartet on piano. In common with the much older Three's Company set, the music was commissioned by Enzo Hamilton for release on his own Culture Press label. The sleevenotes show three improvised pieces, but in practice beginnings and ends are barely discernible, the flow of the music is more or less continuous and covers a lot of ground. There is no denying it is uncompromising and difficult at times, but ultimately rewarding. Elton Dean blows up a storm of course, but is frequently matched for energy and intensity by Alex Maguire, an underrated talent. Wild flurries of notes follow angular chord sequences, never completely out of control, a fine performance. Although attention will tend to be focused on Dean and Maguire it would be a mistake to overlook the contribution of the rhythm section. Firestorms of percussion mix with more subtle passages where Roberto Bellatalla's bow work adds extra dimensions and colour.