Alien Huddle

Alien Huddle is an album by a free improvisation trio consisting of Danish saxophonist Lotte Anker, Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and Japanese electronic artist Ikue Mori, which was recorded in 2006 and released by Intakt Records. It takes its title from a large wooden sculpture by Martin Puryear. The eleven improvisations are inspired by bird songs. Courvoisier and Mori collaborated in two projects previously: Courvoisier's Lonelyville and the improvising trio Mephista with Susie Ibarra.[1]

Alien Huddle
Studio album by Lotte Anker, Sylvie Courvoisier, Ikue Mori
Released	2008
Recorded	December 9, 2006
Studio	Avatar Studio, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	47:10
Label	Intakt
Producer	Lotte Anker
Lotte Anker chronology
Triptych (2005) Alien Huddle (2008) Live at the Loft (2009)

Reception

In a review for All About Jazz, Ted Gordon states "The most interesting creation of this particular group, besides the very clear gestures of emotion and communication, is that its roles switch constantly: in this album's textural huddle, it's the collective output that trumps the individual's contribution."[2]

The Point of Departure review by Stuart Broomer notes that "While the trio of Anker’s saxophones, Courvoisier’s often prepared piano and Mori’s electronics might seem unusual, the three immediately adapt certain practices that can suggest it’s the most normal grouping in the world."[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Anker/Courvoisier/Mori

1. "Morning Dove" – 4:17
2. "Woodpecker Peeks" – 3:58
3. "Sparkling Sparrows" – 5:09
4. "Night Owl" – 5:31
5. "Robins Quarrel" – 3:45
6. "Dancing Rooster Comp" – 4:51
7. "Whistling Swan" – 4:09
8. "Crow and Raven" – 1:58
9. "Blackbird" – 5:15
10. "Ostrich War" – 3:50
11. "Great White Heron" – 4:15

Personnel

• Lotte Anker – soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax
• Sylvie Courvoisier – piano
• Ikue Mori – electronics

References

1. Alien Huddle at Intakt Records
2. Gordon, Ted. Alien Huddle review at All About Jazz
3. Broomer, Stuart. Alien Huddle review at Point of Departure