Sam Pluta - Neural Duo I

 Sam Pluta - Neural Duo I

    With an opening ‘whack’, Pluta’s Neural Duo I is off and running. The work never lets up, with both the trumpet, minus a mouthpiece, and Pluta’s own Neural Net synths instrument bombarding the listener with fast, punchy rhythms for the entire seven and a half minutes.

    Peter Evans’ trumpet playing is that akin to a crazed virtuoso. The fact that a trumpeter is confident and strong enough to play their instrument in a percussive and unconventional manner is impressive. Evans’ convincing sense of rhythm is what really holds the piece together.

    Despite this reflection, one really has to debate whether the trumpet itself adds anything to the work. Is Neural Duo I a duet for trumpet and NN synths, or simply a piece where Pluta needs any instrument with rhythmic capabilities to use as a basis for his electronic instrument? Even with that being said, it is important to note that even though the work was recorded in two separate locations, Evans and Pluta have quite an established musical chemistry with one another (watch here).

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© 2022 Brutal New Music Reviews
originally written and published 16 April 2022

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