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Free Fall: Gray Scale
by Charles Walker
For years now, multi-reed instrumentalist Ken Vandermark has been a consistent, if idiosyncratic, devotee of the jazz canon. Musically coming of age in the internet era, however, his taste reflects the widespread availability of previously neglected recordings and the resulting reorientation of what exactly that canon includes. Explicit dedication of Vandermark 5 tracks to Curtis Counce or John Carter have functioned as a rather oblique way of stating his case, but groups like his Joe Harriott Project or School Days ...
read moreFree Fall: Furnace
by Rex Butters
With drummer-less clarinet trio named after a radical album by a drummerless clarinet trio, you have prolific Ken Vandermark’s latest collaboration, this with Norway’s Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on bass, and Havard Wiik on piano. Vandermark frequently shines a light on an elder, and this one points to the pioneering Jimmy Giuffre/Paul Bley/Steve Swallow trio. Additionally, Merce Cunningham, Frank O’Hara, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, and Bley in particular get their due on this collection. As with past dedications, the music stands ...
read moreThe Richard Sussman Quintet: Free Fall
by Glenn Astarita
Originally released on “Inner City Records” in 1978, this reissue sounds as fresh and cutting-edge as just about anything that resembles contemporary mainstream/progressive jazz! Pianist, Richard Sussman sports a very impressive resume; evidenced by his work with “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” Buddy Rich, pop vocalist, Carly Simon, and others. Besides, he also composed a portion to the classic film, “Midnight Cowboy”. Here, the pianist enlists the tight rhythm section of bassist, Mike Richmond and drummer, Jeff Williams. However, we also ...
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