Sprung from the prolific mind of Rob Mazurek, the Exploding Star Orchestra started out in 2007 reaching toward towering heights of artistry and attaining them. Most amazingly, they still manage to do that today with ‘Lightning Dreamers.’
Musicians capable of anything deserve to play in a setting where anything goes. Thankfully, Tomas Fujiwara is allowing us to hear that with ‘March On.’
Michael Formanek’s composing prowess had set a high standard for this ensemble. Sometimes, though, you just gotta let guys run off the leash. And, as we now know with ‘Other Zones,’ he did.
Brandon Seabrook never undertakes paths chosen by others, but rarely has he had such willing and able partners in crime to carry out his scintillating eccentricities as Gerald Clever and Cooper-Moore.
Tomas Fujiwara’s twin trios double the chops and double the fun with the welcome Triple Double followup, ‘March.’
‘Mayan Space Station’ is another facet of the multi-dimensional artistry of William Parker. The first listens will surprise, and later listens will uncover that the same man who brought us ‘O’Neal’s Porch’ and ‘I Plan to Stay a Believer: The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield’ can absolutely be the brainchild behind these spiritual, loose rock jams.
The challenge for listeners to keep up is also central to the thrill of listening to ‘Cool With That’ by the improvised music supergroup East Axis.
Whatever band Michael Formanek, Tim Berne, Craig Taborn or Gerald Cleaver are in is usually a very good one. When they are in the same band, it’s special.
You never know what to expect from a new Brandon Seabrook album, aside from that it’s guaranteed to be way outside the bounds of normal. ‘Exultations’ is certainly that.
Daniel Carter, Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Gerald Cleaver show how the introduction of just one new member into a stew of vets radically changes the dynamics.
