The Lou Grassi Po Band with Marshall Allen: Live At The Knitting Factory Volume 1 (2011)

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

Recent articles (1,629 total)

Published: February 22, 2011

The Lou Grassi Po Band with Marshall Allen: Live At The Knitting Factory Volume 1

Track review of "RePoZest"

Drummer Lou Grassi, with his progressive jazz and improvisational luminaries, slams matters into high gear during this gutsy 2000 recording, captured at New York City's Knitting Factory. Historically, Grassi is known for his driving passion and prominent leadership, while almost always engaging with superior musicians. Here, the frontline musicians lock horns, via intervallic spikes and scorching dialogues.

"RePoZest" presents an evolving vista, commencing with introspective musings between trumpeter Paul Smoker's linear phrasings and flautist Marshall Allen's cosmological lines. The plot thickens, as trombonist Steve Swell and clarinetist Perry Robinson envelop the theme-building component with drawling extended notes, as the band assumes a role-playing modus operandi, where notions of discontent come to fruition, perhaps mimicking an unruly protest.

Lucid imagery radiates, as the soloists surge forward with an argumentative gait and a take-no-prisoners approach. Grassi and associates execute an abundance of abstract aerial assaults and knockout blows throughout this rather mesmeric program.

Personnel: Lou Grassi: drums; Marshall Allen: alto sax, flute; Paul Smoker: trumpet; Steve Swell: trombone; Perry Robinson: clarinet; Wilber Morris: bass.

Record Label: Porter Records
Style: Free Improv/Avant-Garde