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Steve Swell’s Fire Into Music: For Jemeel: Fire From The Road
ByThe three hours of music combine a totally improvised first hour of music with compositions by Swell and Moondoc. Moondoc's loping "Junka New" is performed both in Texas and Canada, and Swell's "Swimming In A Galaxy Of Goodwill And Sorrow" is revisited from the band's 2007 release. What is evident here is that the quartet has a natural conversance with each other and with this music. Moondoc and Parker's relationship dates back to the '70s loft scene in New York with Moondoc's Muntu, his sextet, and New World Pygmies, plus Parker's large ensembles. Likewise, Swell played in Moondoc's 'Jus Grew Orchestra and with Drake, having regularly contributed to Parker's projects. These four musicians refute the oft quoted expression "familiarity breeds contempt."
These discs are both sprawling and tantalizingly crisp. Even with lengthy soloing by every member, there is no redundancy or excess fat to be trimmed here. "Junka Nu" stretches out to the twenty minute mark in both performances, but maintains a tight groove. The same is true of Swell's "Space Cowboys" which accelerates to warp speed, only stopping when they have burned all their fuel. These discs are a fitting tribute to the memory of Jemeel Moondoc.
Track Listing
CD1: Improvised Music At The El Dorado Ballroom (Intro ByDave Dove); CD2: Junka Nu; Improvised Music At The Ballroom Marfa; Space Cowboys; CD3: Box Set; Junka New; Swimming In The Galaxy Of Goodwill And Sorrow.
Personnel
Album information
Title: For Jemeel: Fire From The Road | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Rogue Art
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