There's a fashion on many contemporary jazz recordings, in which the players are variously combined for each track: all on some tracks, just a few on others, perhaps just one or two on the rest, and no grouping the same. While Chaosfollows this formula, the results have a consistency which is often lacking in straight-ahead releases thus assembled. The explorations of Bley, Di Castri and Oxley are so strong on their solo tracks that when they play together, they strike sparks off each other.
Oxley is an extraordinarily melodic drummer, getting a phenomenal range of sounds from his kit, and his solos are continuously surprising. Di Castri's rich bass sound and spacious melodic sense brings a meditative quality to the recording during his solos. Bley's imaginatively dissonant playing, by turns lyrical or aggressive, relaxed or pushing, provides the binding that pulls the group together. There are plenty of interesting harmonies here, and a sense of rhythm which both includes and goes beyond the tyranny of the beat. Fans of Paul Bley or post-bop music in general will have a treat with this beautifully produced recording. - Larry Koenigsberg
Tracks
01. Chaos – piano solo (Paul Bley)
02. Touching Bass – bass solo (Furio Di Castri)
03. Modulating – drums solo (Tony Oxley)
04. Soft Touch – duet (Paul Bley / Tony Oxley)
05. Poetic Justice – trio (Paul Bley)
06. Interpercussion 1 – drums solo (Tony Oxley)
07. Touch Control – trio (Paul Bley)
08. Turnham Bey – piano solo (Paul Bley)
09. Street Wise – trio (Paul Bley)
10. Bow Out – drum solo (Tony Oxley)
11. Starting Over – trio (Paul Bley)
12. Interpercussion 2 – drums solo (Tony Oxley)
13. Template – trio (Paul Bley)
PAUL BLEY piano
FURIO DI CASTRI bass
TONY OXLEY drums, percussion
Recorded March 28 and 29, 1994 at MuRec Studio Milano
Soul Note 121285 - 2