It's difficult to pin down the identity of this San Francisco trio beyond their core ethics of experimentation and improvisation. Their recorded legacy takes in jazz, prog-rock, psych, rhythmic krautrock, funk, soul and acid, but never in the straightforward ways the labels might imply. On their latest, paired with avant garde trumpeter Eddie Gale, the jazz and psych flavors are strongest and the group's improvisational skills are in full bloom with dreamy creations that meander at length, but never get lost.
With pieces that range from seven to eighteen minutes, there's plenty of room for interplay between the musicians. But unlike traditional jazz structures in which the band states the theme, a round of solos ensues and the original thread is recovered, the jamming hear is holistic. The players impact each other in real time, rather than in rounds or call-and-response, building a tapestry of improvisation, rather than just a lead with backing players. The tracks flow with ease, often segueing across index marks.
The band mines a groove on "I Was Torn Down at the Dance Place, Shaved Head at the Organ," with melodic improvisation giving way to a rhythmic catharsis of piano, drums, bells and assorted shakers before settling back into the pocket. The mix of jazz and funk is reminiscent of Herbie Hancock's fusion work, but with an extra degree of improvisational freedom. Eddie Gale is superb throughout the album, drawing from his work with Sun Ra and Cecil Taylor, as well as his own sporadic solo releases. It's inspiring to hear artists come together in musical conversation and find a common language that flows as freely as this. Fans of free jazz, funk and psych will all find this intriguing.
Enjoy!
