Daniel Carter, Matthew Putman, Federico Ughi: Stream of a Dream

Whether the listener accepts a certain definition of logistics as set in scriptural stone or they do not, does not really faze the the logics of saxophone colossus Daniel Carter, pianist Matthew Putman, and drummer Federico Ughi when they report to the stage and cavort with the muse.

At the core of the whole 577 Records rogue legend and the beating heart of The Telepathic Band, Carter, Potter and Ughi have covered this territory before but not like this. Stream of a Dream not so much premieres the trio's first time as a unique trio unto themselves but testifies, no, swears, to the karmic sound of creation.

Recorded spontaneously live from their March 2024 performance at Brooklyn's New York Forward Festival, Stream of a Dream reveals the quieter, more open nature of the three musicians. Putman and Ughi's rolling rubato guides the leadoff title performance, luring with a quiet rush of elemental tonalities over which Carter brings his dream. Playing with a whispery, sighing elegance, Carter equally bestows grace and accepts it. The music then goes through its frenzy and settles. It is a rare thing of beauty in a world of war debris.

It is, admittedly, a sparse applause but that does not stop these heated, articulate pirates. Picking up the hushed vibe of the previous track, "Tease-breeze" seemingly echoes around Putman's many dreamscapes. Improviser/classicist/bopper/lounge player/busker, the highly active pianist brings the canvas and allows for wide strokes as Ughi and Carter paint their way in and out of the corners. "Fashion-stripes" ensues with a leaner, more jazzier modus operandi (Ughi's dream) and Stream of a Dream comes willfully full circle. Sparse applause and all.

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