James Falzone / Jason Adasiewicz / Jason Roebke: Klang

Dudley Bayne's fledgling Luminescence label was formed to capture moments in time that may never repeat again. The pianist found the Chicago scene a whirlwind of activity, with soon-to-be famous musicians forming multiple groups, and he began recording their shows. His Luminescence Live releases are a series of limited edition discs documenting some very creative music making.

Klang, recorded in 2007, is a quartet begun by Falzone that favors a modern chamber jazz sound. The reeedman—heard here on clarinet alone—is also a member of the French folk music group Le Bon Vent and Jorrit Dijkstra's Flatlands Collective, and is joined here by vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, a member of dozens of bands including Rob Mazurek's Exploding Star Orchestra, the Nicole Mitchell, Mike Reed's Loose Assembly, and Guillermo Gregorio Trio. The quartet is fleshed out by bassist Jason Roebke (Jeb Bishop Trio, Fred Lonberg-Holm Valentine Trio, Keefe Jackson Quartet, Mike Reed's People, Places, and Things) and drummer Tim Daisy (Ken Vandermark, Dragons 1976, Rempis Percussion Quartet and The Engines).

Inspired by Jimmy Giuffre, the band plays tight compositions with chamber ensemble precision, yet with a jazz band's sense of swing. Credit Falzone for his reserve, and equally Adasiewicz, for his subtle shading. The gentle "Last Love Song" finds Daisy inching things along with mallets as Falzone registers pure and beautiful notes. The rush of "Fickle" turns into a walking blues, then trots along before breaking into a scattershot of sound. The music, attributed to all four members is neat, concise and engagingly hip.

This band may never reassemble, but thanks to Klang, there's a glimpse of what was.