As
these words are being written Ned Rothenberg is gearing up for a
truncated tour of parts of the Mid West and East Coast with none other
than Evan Parker. If his ability to keep confident company with the
player regarded by many as the most technically proficient saxophonist
of the post-Coltrane era doesn’t pique your interest in checking this
disc out I know not what will. Though several years old this release is
timely for several reasons. Most prominently perhaps is that the tentet
assembled here is comprised of players who are now firmly entrenched in
the vanguard of creative improvised music. Dave Douglas, Mark Feldman,
Mark Dresser, Rothenberg himself- the roster reads like an All-Star free
jazz band and from the music it’s easily apparent that it is.
An
added extra is John Corbett’s insightful and descriptive liner notes,
which provide excellent commentary to the music. A clever, if somewhat
annoying, impetus to read them is that they are the only place where
personnel and the listings of their instruments can be located. Since
this disc’s initial release Rothenberg has continued along a uniform
path of excellence, but flashing back to his earlier efforts here is
well worth the energy and expense involved. If you find yourself faced
with the opportunity definitely catch him on tour. (By DEREK TAYLOR, allaboutjazz.com)
01 Hidalgo
02 Strange Sarabande
03 Bellhop Vontz
04 Crosshatch
05 In the Rotation
Ned Rothenberg: alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Kenny Berger: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
Dave Douglas: trumpet
Josh Roseman: trombone
Mark Feldman: violin
Ruth Siegler: viola
Mark Dresser: bass
Erik Friedlander: cello
Michael Sarin: drums
Glen Velez: percussion
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