Search - Lester Bowie :: All The Numbers

FINE EARLY MUSIC FROM LESTER BOWIE AND THE AEC

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 10/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two discs 49 and 43 minutes each approximately. The sound is uniformly good,good separation between instruments,which sound very crisp and clean. The accompanying notes are informative,with information on the recording process,and how the individual tracks came into being. There are also notes by Terry Martin from 1967,giving an overview of Lester Bowie and the Chicago jazz scene at the time.



These two discs are part of a five disc set released by Nessa Records some time ago. That set was difficult to find and expensive. It contained music from albums by Roscoe Mitchell,some alternative takes and demos from the sessions,and some music put out under Lester Bowie's name,"Numbers 1 & 2". This new release focuses on Bowie and his band mate's,who would shortly be known as the ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO. With this release we finally have documentation of the group at their beginning. The music contained on these two discs is some of the best (and earliest-1967) music this group would ever record. The group consisted of Lester Bowie-trumpet,flugelhorn,and various other horns,Roscoe Mitchell-alto,soprano saxes,clarinet,flute,recorder,and gourd,Malachi Favors-bass,kazoo,and Joseph Jarman-alto,soprano saxes,clarinet,bassoon (2nd disc only). In addition,the whole group plays what they refer to as "little instruments",used to help color the sound throughout the various compositions.



Those familiar with the group know that their music was never accepted in the U.S. They had to relocate to Europe,where their music found a home in the more liberal,forward-thinking climate of jazz musicians/listeners of the late sixties/early seventies. However,before relocating,they recorded these fine tracks. The first track is a short warm-up,which leads into Mitchell's composition,"Number 2",and the third track ("Number 1"),which is a group improvisation. Both are in excess of twenty minutes long. This first disc is a trio format,with Jarman not heard on these tracks. There is a feeling of great energy on these sides,especially when all three members are playing over and around each other,without seeming to step on each others sound. The quieter passages (especially on the third track) build up the more intense areas,and give this music real vibrancy.



The second disc is taken up with quartet readings of Roscoe Mitchell's (not Bowie) composition,"Number 2". Some of this music was originally edited,with parts from various takes added together to form one "complete" piece of music,for the original vinyl release. What we hear now are the unedited pieces,as they were originally played. The sometimes subtle differences in the various takes is fascinating to hear. The full quartet continually build and cut away notes and passages in their continuing quest for spontaneity. As always,there are musical surprises ("little instruments") interjected in these tracks,which give even more of a surprise as the group improvises through this abstract music.



This music is representative of east coast/Chicago/black (as was the term at the time) avant garde jazz of the late sixties. All the fire,the spirit,the creativeness of that era can be heard on these two discs. This music was considered very radical in its day,and it still retains much of that same feeling now. Listeners familiar with this group/music will know what they're getting themselves into. Those unfamiliar with this group should approach it cautiously,and hold onto your ears. For this is a wild ride through some dense,intense,demanding,abstract music--played by a trio and quartet consisting of some of the best musicians in this genre,engaging in some exciting musical interplay.



This is an important release for a number of reasons. Not the least is with the passing of this era,and the musicians that created this music,listeners will not have the chance to experience this style of jazz again. We are fortunate to have this set of early music,recorded just prior to the group's relocation to Europe,where their music existed on small labels,with variable distribution. This is a major release from both Bowie and the ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO in their formative stage."