Ivo Perelman + Elliott Sharp – ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (2023)

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Ivo Perelman

Ivo Perelman is that rare improvisor who can come up with ten harmonic ideas within a minute of extemporaneous composing on his saxophone. Besides that, the major point of intrigue for any new Perelman studio date or live performance often comes down to which other virtuosic musician(s) he chooses with which to bounce around those ideas.

For Artificial Intelligence (Mahakala Music), the master reedman trades inspiration with a true original on guitar, Elliott Sharp. We’ve examined Sharp’s work in this space before, and his prowess over jazz, blues, rock, folk and other styles are just tools at his disposal to blend into an uncommonly fresh articulation amplified further by his finesse with electronics.

It’s these tools – a Strandberg Boden 8-string guitar and electronics, to be precise – that Sharp brought into his spontaneous music sessions facing off with Perelman on tenor sax.



Sharp’s masterful manipulation of sounds comes into sharp focus as he reaches for effects that pair up squarely with Perelman’s cogitations. At the same time, it’s not simply the use of these effects that makes this successful, as Sharp’s playing speaks Perelman’s language, and there’s all the simpatico heard with all of Perelman’s most effective partners.

Further, Sharp isn’t always radically altering his guitar’s sound and for those moments where he doesn’t, he creates others ways to be a provocative counterpoint to his saxophone cohort. “Four” is the best example of this, as the guitarist forgoes electronics altogether but with the saxophonist forges a sonic architecture that’s no less exotic.

As is typical for him, Perelman often freely zig-zags around the line dividing harmony and dissonance, but in those moments Sharp is with him every staggered step of the way. Ultimately, what Sharp brings to Perelman’s vision that’s unique is his ability to bring textures on the fly through use of sampling and looping along with an 8-string guitar that empowers him to expand the sonic footprint and do so in uncharacteristic ways.

“One” feels like Sharp frolicking in Perelman’s world, while “Two” leaves the reverse impression. The atmospherics at the start of “Three” instinctively gives way to a two-way spontaneous interaction, without totally abandoning those atmospherics.

Every Ivo Perelman product is a unique entity that’s uniquely stimulating. Artificial Intelligence has certain qualities brought by Elliott Sharp that are novel even by Perelman’s standards, making this outing even more unique and more stimulating.

Artificial Intelligence comes out on March 31, 2023. You can pre-order/order your copy from Bandcamp.


S. Victor Aaron