During the late '80s and early '90s, the Art Ensemble of Chicago recorded a number of albums for the Japanese DIW label. While a couple of these releases were fine additions to their catalog (notably, Dreaming of the Masters, Vol. 1 and The Art Ensemble of Soweto), the majority found the band treading water, breezing through tunes and structures long a staple of their repertoire but rarely either breaking new ground or playing with inspiration. Dreaming of the Masters Suite is an example of this trend. Subtitled, "Music inspired by and dedicated to John Coltrane," the recording includes three covers of Coltrane classics ("Impressions,""Naima" and "Spiritual") as well as a rendition of the the Art Ensemble's often-played tribute "Ohnedaruth." The Coltrane songs are played competently but without either the ecstatic abandon of their creator, or with the investigatory intelligence and wit of the the Art Ensemble at its peak. Only the short reading of "Spiritual" succeeds completely and, even here, one wonders if it's only because of the enormous innate beauty of the composition. "Ohnedaruth" can be, as performed on the Phase One or Bap-Tizum albums, a piece of huge power and thrilling invention. Here, it's given an almost cursory run-through, as if in admission that the group has previously wrung all that it could from the piece. The remaining compositions walk a similarly safe line; they're pleasant enough and well-played but don't have the bite or passion that admirers of this superb ensemble had come to expect. - Brian Olewnick
Tracks
01. Dreaming Of The Masters (Joseph Jarman)
02. Call Of The Captain (AEOC)
03. Impressions (John Coltrane)
04. Colors Too (AEOC)
05. Naima (John Coltrane)
06. Spiritual (John Coltrane)
07. Ohnedaruth (AEOC)
08. Go Head (AEOC)
09. Song For Atala (AEOC)
10. Dreaming Of The Masters (Joseph Jarman)
MALACHI FAVORS MAGHOSTUT bass, percussion, belafon
LESTER BOWIE trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion
FAMOUDOU DON MOYE drums, sun percussion, congas, bongos, percussion, bass pan drum,
chimes, belafon, triangles, whistles.
JOSEPH JARMAN soprano, alto, tenor, baritone saxophones, flute, synthesizer, percussion
ROSCOE MITCHELL soprano, alto, tenor, bass saxophones, flute, piccolo, percussion.
Recorded January 12-14, March 11, 17, 18, 21, 24, 1990 at Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, NY
DIW Records – DIW-854 (Japan)