Record Reviews

CHICAGO EDGE ENSEMBLE ~ DECAYING ORBIT NOT ON LABEL ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by American (from Chicago) quintet called Chicago Edge EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Mars WilliamsFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jeb BishopFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dan PhillipsFind albums by this artist, Polish (resident in US) bassist Krzysztof PabianFind albums by this artist and drummer Hamid DrakeFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Phillips, who is the leader of the ensemble. In contrast to the music Phillips creates with his trio, which is original and interesting, the music presented here is mostly typical American Free Jazz, which did not change much in the last fifty years since its inception. Each of the tracks is based on a sketchy melodic riff, which is than expanded into lengthy improvisations performed by the three front players and supported by the rhythm section, which swings at times and plays free time at others. The ensemble sounds at its best when the music becomes more Fusion oriented, with a strong Rocky pulse and Phillips´ scorching guitar in the lead, but these moments are relatively rare. The music moves between organized passages, with clearly defined roles as far as the players are concerned, and completely Free parts, which are less impressive. All these musicians are excellent instrumentalist and play formidable solo parts, especially Phillips, whose guitar manages to be searching and expressive. Pabian plays beautifully and his pulsations keep the music together, especially in view of the challenging, but of course excellent drumming by Drake. The trombone and saxophone parts are technically impressive, but offer nothing that was not heard in Free Jazz time and again before. Overall this is a very solid offer by an excellent ensemble, especially for Free Jazz connoisseurs, but is also accessible to a broader audience since the Free elements are relatively tame and the album also offers quite a few Fusion oriented vistas. Definitely worth investigation!

Updated: 10/04/2018Posted: 10/04/2018

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CHICAGO EDGE ENSEMBLE ~ INSIDIOUS ANTHEM TROST 177 (Barcode: 9120036682733) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the second album by the American Jazz quintet Chicago Edge EnsembleFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Dan PhillipsFind albums by this artist, which also includes trombonist Jeb BishopFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mars WilliamsFind albums by this artist, Polish (based in US) bassist Krzysztof PabianFind albums by this artist and drummer Hamid DrakeFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Phillips. In contrast to the debut album, the music on this album is much more organized, with clearly composed themes, which are pushed forward and directed by the leader, and then stretched into lengthy improvised passages, backed by a swinging rhythm section. As such this music is closer to contemporary modern Jazz, which includes freely improvised parts, but is focused in coherent more often than not. All five instrumentalists are obviously very experienced and talented, which contributes to the superb level of execution felt all the way through. Phillips, who uses a scorching Fusion oriented sound, is the most unique voice of the quintet, although Bishop and Williams contribute hot and inspiring parts as well. Pabian is a very distinctive bassist, perfectly balancing the rhythmic pulsations with the harmonic support he offers to the soloists. Drake is a Master drummer, who is well beyond the need to prove anything and his versatile rhythmic support is beyond reproach. Overall the album offers some very exciting modern Jazz, which offers an elegant balance between melody and Freedom, with the music swinging splendidly from start to finish. With first class musicianship and great compositions, the album is real pleasure to listen to and deserves repeated spins to get all the hidden complexities, which are revealed only after careful and attentive listening. Personally I believe this is a much better offering than the debut, which already makes me curious as to their next offer. Well done Gentlemen!

Updated: 26/03/2019Posted: 26/03/2019

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DAN PHILLIPS QUARTET ~ CONVERGING TRIBUTARIES LIZARD BREATH (Barcode: 075549198976) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by a jazz quartet led by American guitarist / composer Dan PhillipsFind albums by this artist, with trombonist Jeb BishopFind albums by this artist, Polish (resident in US) bassist Krzysztof PabianFind albums by this artist and drummer Timothy DaisyFind albums by this artist. The album presents four original compositions, two by the leader and two improvised pieces co-credited to all four members of the quartet. Philips, Pabian and Daisy recorded several albums together as a trio but this is their fist recording in the quartet setting. The music is very diverse and moves between melody based contemporary Jazz / Fusion and Improvised Music. The presence of the trombone shifts the music more towards Jazz, in comparison to the a.m. trio recordings, that have a tendency towards Fusion. The two lengthy improvised pieces are typical group improvisations, which allow for solo statements and duo, trio and quartet conversations, which develop spontaneously, at times entering a hypnotic groove stage. The album enables all four players to display their individual statements, which are impressive, as well as showcase excellent team work, and altogether is a good example of contemporary Jazz, which refuses to stay within the boundaries set by the Jazz tradition and offers cross-genre fertilization. The rhythm section is given an equal status within the quartet and contributes equally, both on the compositional and instrumental levels. Overall this is an interesting album, which is worth investigating by the open-minded Jazz enthusiasts, who are ready to make an intellectual effort while listening to music, in order to embrace it. Well done!

Updated: 01/05/2018Posted: 01/05/2018

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