Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet - Images/Signs

[gnhrtg]

I think a single disc release comprising Vandermark's "All Things Being Equal" from "Images" and Lonberg-Holm's "Six-Gun Territory" and either Gustafsson's "Bird Notes" or Brotzmann's "Signs" from "Signs" would have provided me with something to be more excited about. However, even in these pieces, the parts where the music clicks for me are sparse when compared to earlier records by the band. This might (or might not) have to do with the fact that the band works mostly without steady grooves while exploring, what I might call, textures. Due to the improvised, spontaneous, nature of what we end up hearing, I wouldn't at all be surprised these pieces performed live (or other takes) and greatly enjoy them.

The sound on these two is distal and as if you're eavesdropping behind a muffling panel - rather unsuited to capture the nuances and dynamic range in the music, I think.

Still, I'm in full agreement with Jay Collins (in his One Final Note review)that "[o]ne can only hope that this band continues to survive and make music together for years to come;" and will be the first in line for their next concert or release.

(Both of these are 2004 Okka Disk releases, Images is a sixty one minute program consisting of two tunes, by Vandermark and Brotzmann and Signs is about fifty five minutes and has three tunes, by Gustafsson, Lonberg-Holm, and Brotzmann. The band is Mars Williams, Ken Vandermark, Peter Brotzmann, Mats Gustafsson, Kent Kessler, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Hamid Drake, Michael Zerang, and Joe McPhee)

[claude]

I have only heard "Images" so I can't comment on "signs". This is my first exposure to the Chicago tentet so maybe my expectations were different. I am thoroughly enjoying this CD. As you mentioned the KV tune on Images "All things being equal" has more of a groove going and is easier to get drawn into than the second piece credited to PB. Having said that I also enjoy the second piece although in a very different way.

I also hadn't noticed any sound quality problems. Maybe my ears aren't as good as yours

This one is a keeper for me.

[gnhrtg]

claude - I, too, would think that the root of our different reactions resides in large measure in the difference in our expectations. Similarly, the only reasons I mentioned the issued on the recorded sound are that I think the it suffers with respect to previous releases on the same label, Okka, and that the music is such that it does matter, for once, for me at least.

I'm curious to learn about others' opinions on these, anyone?

[Sergio Zamora]

Thanks for the review, Gokham. I'll probably end up picking up one of the two.


Oh, and thanks for introducing me to the word 'distal'. I can't wait to use it in a sentence.

[sashabur]

As a tangential addition to this thread: here's what the score for Bird Notes looks like