Paul Dunmall / Paul Rogers / Tony Orrell: That's My Life

Contrary to the title, That's My Life is not a career retrospective for iconoclastic British reedman Paul Dunmall. In fact it hails from the archives, a live date from Bristol recorded way back in 1989. On being asked about this set in a radio program in 2023 honoring his upcoming 70th birthday, Dunmall commented that it sounded like a different person compared to how he played now, albeit one who was still quite accomplished, but who used a lot more notes.

Joining Dunmall who sticks to soprano saxophone on two lengthy cuts are bassist Paul Rogers and drummer Tony Orrell, both regular collaborators at this time, with Rogers also being part of the legendary Mujician alongside the saxophonist, pianist Keith Tippett and drummer Tony Levin. The recording captures the energy and excitement of the meeting in which after rudimentary heads the three get down to the real business of the evening, some high-octane free jazz.

Dunmall and Rogers are the prime movers. The saxophonist is full of invention. His sinewy serpentine lines unfurl and hover, ascending to a throaty squeal to cap a phrase. His insistent repeated figures and variations even sound like speeded up Bach at some points during the title number, such is their formal elegance. Rogers provides an involving counterpoint that also somehow manages to further the pulse at the same time, but his simultaneous command of both the melody and rhythm is perhaps best revealed in the extended solos which adorn each piece.

A propulsive riff establishes the framework for "Marriage In India," kept in mind even when left behind. Rogers circles round it in his feature, and Orrell too maintains the motif on his bass drum even as he embellishes and extemporizes. The final pleasure of the set comes at the end of the track, when after toying with the theme in a low-key way, all three launch into it in a whole-hearted reprise. One of those moments of satisfaction which makes one wish to relive the experience straight away.