Where do we even start? "Live Capitol Brig", like many avant-garde jazz projects, seems to revel in the art of kalophobia - the avoidance of anything that might be considered aesthetically pleasing. Yet, Mengis, Hagen, Pfammatter, and Papaux have managed to produce a work that both embraces and defies this notion, blending beauty with a hint of discomfort.

From the opening moments, it's clear that "Live Capitol Brig" isn’t afraid to dip its toes into the realm of elegance. Mengis' trumpet channels the spirit of Miles Davis' "Filles de Kilimanjaro" era, but with a twist that is distinctly his own. It’s a promising start, evoking a sense of serene beauty. But don't get too comfortable – Pfammatter’s synthesizer and Papaux’s percussion often disrupt this tranquility, injecting a subliminally aggressive and somehow catty undertone that keeps you on your toes.

This delicate balance between beauty and chaos is maintained throughout the album, creating a tapestry of sound that is both unsettling and captivating. Hagen’s vocals, abstract yet emotionally charged, weave through the sonic landscape, adding another layer of complexity. The music’s mood shifts from serene to tense, never allowing the listener to fully relax, but keeping the level of attention high as a wisely plotted movie or novel.

However, despite the frequent descents into distortion and the punctuations of audience laughter, the album retains a peculiar sense of precision. It’s like a Swiss watch – intricate, precise, and slightly cold. Each musician is in perfect sync with the others, creating a unified sound that is more than the sum of its parts. This meticulous craftsmanship is perhaps the album’s saving grace, transforming what could have been a chaotic mess into a cohesive, albeit challenging, listening experience.

The second disc, with its drone-oriented sections, offers a slight reprieve from the tension. Here, the elegance takes center stage, providing moments of genuine beauty amidst the avant-garde experimentation. These sections highlight the musicians' ability to create a deeply immersive atmosphere, proving that they are just as capable of crafting moments of serene beauty as they are of generating unsettling tension.

"Live Capitol Brig" is a paradoxical album – elegant yet aggressive, serene yet tense, precise yet chaotic. It’s not an easy listen, and it certainly isn’t for everyone. But for those willing to engage with its complexities, it offers a rewarding experience that reveals new layers with each listen. It’s a clockwork of unity and a testament to the musicians' ability to push the boundaries of free-improvised music. So, if you’re up for a challenge and have an appreciation for the avant-garde, give this album a listen. Just don’t expect an easy ride.