"The first group is a trio. Parker is in fine form, and the trio gets a distinctive character from Paul Rogers' forceful rolling bass -lines and eerie arcos and Jamie Muir's quirky, percussion play that includes toys, springs, and a lot of other unusual metal. The second band is a quartet, Parker's trio with Rogers and Mark Sanders augmented by a special guest Wolter Wierbos. While Wierbos exits the 36-minute piece around the 20-minute mark, his brusquely blustery trombone and its rapid-fire whirlwind lines are a real addition to the group contributing to some wildly forceful, almost combative, interplay."
STUART BROOMER - CODA 2002
"Muir is a really rattling player who generally tends to work small areas of percussion rather than spread it on thick. With great concentration, he shapes many of the music's best moments. At times, he displays the uncanny ability to match Parker's serpentine articulations; at other times he stops on a dime, forcing Rogers and Parker to readjust and reassess their improvisatory habits.
Rogers plays beautifully both here and on the 1991 set, layering his sound into the overall fabric of the improvisation seamlessly. Wierbos and Parker play so sympathetically that I'm surprised there aren't other recordings in the canon or forthcoming. Here's hoping that will change since it's a vivid, exciting partnership.
Of course, Parker plays wonderfully throughout, that's a given. The first set is a bit more exploratory, the second a bit more 'Jazz'-like. Rich, satisfying stuff and welcome addtions to the massive discography."
JASON BIVINS - CADENCE 2002 |