The netlabel Insubordinations continues to be the hallmark of free and legal improvisational music on the internet. Their artists are always consistent in pushing the limits of acoustic improvisatory music. The trio Phat is no exception. Their album titled La Grande Peste offers 6 tracks of assaultive music that will challenge the listener but will reward those who are attentive and open minded. The saxophonist Heddy Boubaker has appeared on other Insubordination releases but is especially good on this one. He played primarily bass sax, which reminds me of Anthony Braxton who is one of the few avant-garde jazz player who regularly tackles this monstrous instrument. Having had to play the bass sax before, never voluntarily, I know how cumbersome this instrument can be. On the last track, “Ah!” Boubaker switch to the more forgiving alto saxophone and winds the album down to a quiet calm which is a bit of relief for the listener. However, on the whole, Broubaker tends to be more aggressive in the style of English saxophonist Evan Parker. Percussionist Fabien Duscombs adds to the primarly aggressive style of this album but never drowns out the other participants. It is to bassist Marc Perrenoud’s credit that he more than keeps up to the proceeding. In fact, this is a equal opportunity trio in which all participants add an important ingredient. This album is highly recommended to those who want to hear the state of the art in avant-garde jazz and improvisatory music.

La Grande Peste is available in 224kbps MP3.

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