Tom Christensen: Gualala

This disc is almost entirely a modal improvisation. Each piece, saving one or two, is built on a single scale, propelled by a single bass figure. It reminds me of a highbrow John Lee Hooker. Boom, Boom, Boom Boom. Tom Christensen, the erstwhile leader of this merry band is a multi-reedist and brass player who uses this ensemble and opportunity to air out is considerable talent. He is joined by fellow Eastman collegue Charles Pillow, also a multi-reedist. Together with their rhythm section, they weave a sometime light-as-a-feather sometime brick-heavy web of music.

Completely entertaining, this is no Kind of Blue. I could not help thinking that the performers here were simply playing as if at a clinic, attempting to use the music as a vehicle for illustrating composing methods. That can't be all bad. After all, Bach''s Well Tempered Klavier was composed for the same reasons.