Jazz Articles

Phil Mosberg Quartet: The New Balance

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2002

On The New Balance, Chicago guitarist Phil Mosberg leads his loose-knit group through a series of open-ended compositions. Despite the obvious virtuosity he displays when sailing into solo flight, the guitarist remains perfectly content to accompany the other players or join them for unison melodies. And saxophonist Jon Irabagon takes plenty of opportunities to travel “out," which tends to raise the energy level of the quartet's playing.

The tunes on this record (all by Mosberg) have a relatively simple logic ...

Triage: Premium Plastics

by Mark Corroto
January 1, 2002

If we were to speak of jazz in terms of eras, we can agree the post-Trane era has certainly created a mixed bag of styles, theories and jazz directions. Since the passing of John Coltrane, jazz was dominated by not one force but included many. It is also now possible in 2002, to think in terms of a post-Wynton and a post-Downtown world. Saxophonist Dave Rempis, primarily known for his work in the Vandermark 5, brings forth a passionate, yet ...