This CD promises much more than it delivers, appearing to be a tribute to Thelonious Monk that features the Art Ensemble of Chicago and guest pianist Cecil Taylor. As it turns out, Taylor is not on the two Monk pieces ("'Round Midnight" and "Nutty"), which, although reasonably enjoyable, do not contain any new revelations. The four collaborations between the Art Ensemble (trumpeter Lester Bowie, Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jarman on reeds, bassist Malachi Favors and drummer Don Moye) and Taylor (which have nothing to do with Thelonious) find the group mostly in a subsidiary role behind the pianist's volcanic waves of sound. So overall, this set is more significant historically than it is musically. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Dreaming of the Masters (0:57)
2. Intro to Fifteen (18:25)
3. Excerpt From Fifteen Part 3A (10:51)
4. 'Round Midnight (15:23)
5. Caseworks (8:22)
6. Nutty (7:27)
7. Dreaming of the Masters (0:52)
CECIL TAYLOR piano, vocals
LESTER BOWIE flugelhorn, percussion, trumpet
JOSEPH JARMAN flute, percussion, sax, synthesizer
ROSCOE MITCHELL flute, percussion, piccolo, sax
MALACHI FAVORS balafon, bass, percussion
DON MOYE balafon, bells, bongos, chimes, conga, drums
Recorded January, 16-19 & 31 January, 3 February and 11 March 1990 at Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, NY
DIW Records – DIW-846 (Japan)