Not really free jazz- what it is though, it's great!
greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 02/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am always amazed when I see something like this CD unreviewed. I thought that a lot of jazz reviewers would be all over this recent Rob Mazurek project. Mazurek brought together a lot of the mainstays of the Chicago modernist music scene, composed for them, rehearsed them and then unleashed them in John McEntire's studio.
Before I go any further, let me explain my title. This music mostly does not sound like any sort of large group improvisation. The compositional methods sound (to me and my limited knowledge) to be fairly traditional although very very broad in range. For example, I understand that Mazurek recorded electric eels which are part of the mix. There are two main suites and one interlude. Actually the sound samples on this page should give you a good idea of what to expect.
The musicians are as follows: Mazurek (cornet,computer), Nicole Mitchell (flute, voice), Jeb Bishop (trombone), Corey Wilkes (flugelhorn), Josh Berman (cornet), Matt Bauder (tenor sax, bass clarinet), Jeff Parker (guitar), Jim Baker(piano, ARP pianette), Jason Adasiewicz (vibraphone), John McEntire (tubular bells, marimba), Matthew Lux (bass guitar), Jason Ajemian (acoustic bass), Mike Reed (drums, percussion, saw), and John Herndon (drums).
Obviously some of these people are better known than others. Most contemporary jazz fans will be familiar with Mazurek, Bishop, Parker and the Tortoise guys. The main solo voice seems to be that of Nicole Mitchell's flute which sounds great up against the backgrounds with which Mazurek surrounds her. If, like me, you are an ignorant savage who was unaware of her work, you will be impressed. Some of her own projects are among my next purchases.
The suites are very atmospheric, varied and well thought out. Portions of Cosmic Tomes for Sleepwalking Lovers are probably the origins of the claims that this is free jazz. That suite opens on what sounds like a group improv. It is in passages like this that you can hear the results of rehearsal time. There is a lot of sheer sound being produced but there is a sense of coherence and even of room. It makes sense when people choose to play and to drop out. This fades into a nice little riff that starts off part 2. And so on. As I said earlier, listen to the samples.
What should be apparent is that these are superb musicians being led by a composer who knows what he is doing. There are so few really good additions every year to Creative Orchestra Music. It is not an easy genre of music to play. It requires so much. We can only hope that these people can keep this project going and continue to grace us occassionally with music of this quality. For now, I will simply state that if you like modern creative music or contemporary big band music, then this CD is destined to be one of your favorites of the year. Well done, Mr. Mazurek and associates.
"
Somewhere Else is in this case Chicago
Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 04/11/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Rob Mazurek's big band free jazz opens up "Sting Ray" with a driving ostinato. Above it, the melodies float back and forth, carried in large part by Nicole Mitchell's flute. After 4 minutes, there's another section to Part 1 which is best described as 'falling' music. Mazurek solos, and then the song goes into a less-driving version of the original ostinato. The overall effect is exhilerating, unsettling, and new. Part 2 is similar to Part 1, and then Part 3 is completely different. Rob Mazurek recorded stingrays in a Brazilian aquarium to help make Part 3. Part 3 is the most free-jazzy part of the album, and I suppose your appreciation for it will depend on whether you prefer tone-colors or melodies. Part 4 is similar to Part 3, but is more melodic, and has a nice, long, flute solo to boot.
There's a relatively short piano interlude in "Black Sun", then it's off to "Cosmic Tones". Part 1 of "Cosmic Tones" is almost alarm-clocky, everyone's playing wake-up music. Part 2 and Part 3 go into distinct melodies, neither is too settling. Part 4 is brief, loud interlude. The album ends with Part 5, a slow, moody piece with more flute soloing.
The overall effect is futuristic retro. This would be great soundtrack music for a spy music set in the 60's where they're using sci-fi gadgets. It's like nothing you've ever heard, but it's familiar.
In summary, this is a very good CD. It sounds like an augmented Chicago Underground CD. Mazurek's trumpet playing is typical (for him), and Nicole Mitchell's flute is another highlight. Jeff Parker's guitar solos are good, and Jeb Bishop gets a good solo in at the beginning."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1