Joshua Abrams and The Natural Information Society 6/3/23 Wadsworth Atheneum

Basement theater under the gallery, who knew? Couldn’t think of a better place to view this unusual group. Leader Abrams played the Guimbri, a three stringed homemade-looking bass, Mikel Avery on drums and hand percussion, Jason Stein on bass clarinet, and Lisa Alvarado on harmonium and set design. The music was African trance with the guimbri leading the exotic sounding charge. Josh had an effect pedal that emitted a metallic echo from the guimbri strings to give an industrial clang. The drummer flowed effortlessly, quietly tapping and scraping all surfaces on the kit. Some drums were cloaked in fabric as to muffle or obscure the beat. Drums are critical in any type of trance or drone offering and Avery rose to the metronomic challenge. The bass clarinet is an awesome instrument. While echoes of Eric Dolphy  emerge when a bass clarinet is played, I am amazed by the timbre and scope of the sound. Stein’s contribution to the drone was more nuanced, entering and exiting with a regal wail. Alvarado was a sight to behold, dressed in a fluorescent mauve frock. She is also a visual artist working with brightly colored fabrics and tapestries hung as a backdrop to the stage. The Wadsworth devoted an exhibit space in the main gallery to closely view her work. She looked as if Olive Oyl (yes Popeye’s gal) ran an ashram made from caution tape. The harmonium is another unusual instrument, it looks like a large breadbox with a bellows attachment. A sit down bagpipe driven by the bellows was a perfect trance inducing item. As a whole, these musicians worked telepathically, with Abrams’ occasional head bobs the only conducting present. The concert consisted of two long form trance pieces, the second one was titled Descension from Constriction. Abrams is originally from Philly, in the 90s he played bass in a group called the SquareRoots which morphed into the Roots after his departure. Moving to Chicago, he was quickly absorbed into the Windy City’s fertile post rock scene hanging with Tortoise, Jeff Parker, and the Bitchin Bajas. This music is challenging but rewarding. The listener that can let the sound wash over them is rewarded with a happy hypnotic groove courtesy of a world class guimbrist.