Garrison Fewell/John Tchicai: Big Chief Dreaming / Adam Caine: Pipe

A partnership between reedman John Tchicai and guitarist Garrison Fewell has resulted in a melodic multicultural release while guitarist Adam Caine's trio offers up a time warping ethereal sonic journey.

Tchicai, Fewell, Tracanna, Dalla Porta and Manzi
Big Chief Dreaming
Soul Note
2005

Beginning with an engaging guitar/soprano sax duet, "Instant Intuition , and ending with the full quintet sound of Tchicai's swinging autobiographical "Yogi in Disguise , Big Chief Dreaming is an example of superb international musicians creating new music. In addition to Tchicai and Fewell, featured are a trio of Italian musicians: saxophonist Tino Tracanna, bassist Paolino Dalla Porta and drummer Massimo Manzi.

"Prayer for Right Guidance is a tightly constructed piece with a driving Native American rhythm. Tracanna's "Simplicity is built around a beautiful melody stated by two tenors in call and response fashion. "X-Ray Vision is a sweet gentle Fewell foray that highlights guitar/soprano/tenor interaction while the first half of his "Queen of Ra contains a fittingly regal opening statement. Duets like "Grappa to Go and "Splinters No. 1 showcase novel guitar/soprano and drums/soprano formats. Broader instrumentals, like the glorious bass clarinet/soprano tandem "Thrift Shopping + Extension , make this a session of exceptional depth.

Adam Caine
Pipe
TrueFalse
2005

Benefiting from a post punk industrial mindset and having its roots in free jazz/psychedelia, Adam Caine's trio, that bears his last name, has debuted with Pipe, a soundtrack of soundscapes that stretch sonic boundaries. A trio in the truest sense, Caine's guitar certainly wails, screams and contorts but is an integral part of the overall sound. Bassist Ken Filiano and drummer Phil Haynes mesh with Caine and do their part to blur the lines between specific instruments in support of the overall feel. Filiano's bowing is a special treat and adds delicious textures to several cuts. "Turgataur is a short tasty delicacy, "Thitic features elegant guitar/bowed bass give and take for a slow trippy experience and "Maurice ebbs and flows between pounding excitement and laid back noodling. "Separator has a modern classical feel with its darting rhythms while "Shifting's final moments could raise Hendrix from his grave.

Big Chief Dreaming

Tracks: Instant Intuition; Prayer For Right Guidance; Big Chief Dreaming ; Simplicity; The Queen Of Ra; Thrift Shopping + Extension ; Basetto; X- Ray Vision; Grappa To Go; Splinters No. 1; Haengende Skaerm; Yogi in Disguise.

Personnel: John Tchicai: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Garrison Fewell: guitar; Tino Tracanna: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone; Paolino Dalla Porta: bass; Massimo Manzi: drums.

Pipe

Tracks: Turgataur; Thitic; Maurice; Separator; Shifting.

Personnel: Adam Caine: guitar, Ken Filliano: bass, Phil Haynes: drums.