This Dance Is for Steve McCall refers to the late drummer who contributed not only to Roscoe Mitchell’s music, but was a member of the AACM. The disc is not only a tribute to McCall, but also to other musicians Mitchell had collaborated with over the years who have passed on, including Phillip Wilson, Gerald Oshita, and Tom Buckner. Mitchell pays the highest tribute to these fallen comrades of the avant-garde by assembling a band that signifies the embodiment of creative music: Matthew Shipp on piano, the twin-bass attack of Jaribu Shahib and William Parker, and Tani Tabbal and Vincent Davis on drums. The music ranges from dense contemporary classical to violence incarnate on "The Rodney King Affair," in which Mitchell’s circular-breathing technique pushes the tempo to a dizzy, frightening place. All compositions are Mitchell originals except "Ericka," written by Art Ensemble of Chicago member Joseph Jarman. - Al Campbell
Tracks
01. Ericka (Joseph Jarman)
02. Uptown Strut (Roscoe Mitchell)
03. The Rodney King Affair (Roscoe Mitchell)
04. Ah (Roscoe Mitchell)
05. Song for Gerald Oshita (Roscoe Mitchell)
06. Paintings for Phillip Wilson (Roscoe Mitchell)
07. The Far East Blues (Roscoe Mitchell)
08. Variations for String Bass and Piano (Roscoe Mitchell)
09. This Dance Is for Steve McCall (Roscoe Mitchell)
WILLIAM PARKER bass, percussion
JARIBU SHAHID bass
VINCENT DAVIS drums (3)
TANI TABBAL drums, drums-hand
MATTHEW SHIPP piano
ROSCOE MITCHELL soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, bamboo flute,percussion
Recorded on May 18, 1992 at Sorcerer Sound, NYC
Black Saint – 120150-2 Italy