Houseplant (album)

Houseplant is the fifth album by drummer Jim Black's AlasNoAxis featuring clarinetist/saxophonist Chris Speed, guitarist Hilmar Jensson and bassist Skúli Sverrisson recorded in 2008 and released on the Winter & Winter label.[1]

Houseplant
Studio album by Jim Black and AlasNoAxis
Released	February 20, 2009
Recorded	September & October 2008 in Brooklyn, NY
Genre	Improvised music, jazz
Length	60:37
Label	Winter & Winter 910 154
Producer	Jim Black
Jim Black chronology
Dogs of Great Indifference (2006) Houseplant (2009) The Veil (2011)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
AllAboutJazz	[3]

In his review for Allmusic, Dave Lynch said "it would be inaccurate to describe Houseplant as stifled music -- the nearly epic title track might even be heard as soundtracking the titular foliage’s dream of escape, complete with the walls tumbling down -- but at the very least Black, even with his often economical and even understated drumming here, seems intent on exploring how deeply held emotions can be expressed with a minimum of adornment".[2] On AllAboutJazz Glenn Astarita stated "Once again, the leader and his comrades uncannily merge a cheery vibe with modern jazz improvisation and hardcore rock parameters that nicely blend into one neatly wrapped package"."[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Jim Black

1. "Inkionos" - 4:45
2. "Cahme"- 4:36
3. "Houseplant" - 7:09
4. "Fyr" - 1:05
5. "Malomice" - 7:09
6. "Littel" - 4:32
7. "Elight" - 5:55
8. "Naluch" - 5:08
9. "Cadmium Waits" - 3:25
10. "Adbear" - 7:23
11. "Lowers in a Nine Sense" - 5:03
12. "Downstrum" - 3:45

Personnel

• Jim Black - drums, laptop
• Chris Speed - tenor saxophone
• Hilmar Jensson - electric guitar
• Skúli Sverrisson - electric bass

References

1. Winter & Winter discography, accessed November 27, 2014
2. Lynch, Dave. Jim Black – Houseplant > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
3. Astarita, G., AllAboutJazz Review, October 9, 2009