The five lengthy improvisations by the three veteran masters of the AACM range from airy sound explorations to stretches of extroverted interplay. The former does sometimes goes on way too long as one waits for the latter. Best are the episodic "Dramaturns" and the intense group improvising on "Streaming." While one appreciates George Lewis' exploration of his computer, it is in his trombone yelps that one gets to hear the joy of freely improvised jazz. Decades have passed since the debut of these three musicians, yet they have lost nothing of their musical curiosity and desire to take risks. The enthusiastic interaction between pianist Muhal Richard Abrams and saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell with Lewis is the real reward of this esoteric outing. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Scrape
2. Bound
3. Dramaturns
4. Soundhear
5. Streaming
ROSCOE MITCHELL soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, percussion
GEORGE LEWIS trombone, computer (laptop)
MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS piano, bells, bamboo flute, taxihorn, percussion
All music composed by Muhal Richard Abrams, George Lewis and Roscoe Mitchell
Recorded at Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY, January 8 & 9, 2005
Pi Recordings - PI22