Customer Reviews

Simpatico

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are part of the Chicago improvised music scene, Ken Vandermark has left is paw print everywhere. He is a prolific soloist and interested in recording with everyone, from his blues gigs with The Crown Royals, through his punk-jazz collaborations with The Flying Luttenbachers, to his wild Euro blowing with Peter Brotzman and the AALY trio. All of these influnces are brought to bear on Simpatico, perhaps my favorite recording by the famous, or infamous Vandermark 5.

The V5 is a relatively stable ensemble of Chicago improvisers, including the always impressive Jeb Bishop on trombone and guitar. Also impressive is Dave Rempis, who's style, while influenced by the post-Aylerisms of Vandermark and the Europeans, is more lyrical...melodically based, almost like an update of Lee Konitz. The music on this V5 album ranges from all-out free blowing, through the sort of impressionistic slow avant-garde music that seems to have as much to do with the European serialists as it does with jazz, to downright funky jazz and blues numbers...sometimes with a bit of a punk edge. The latter is particularly evident on the tracks that feature Bishop on
noisy, Hendricks-meets-Sonny-Sharrock-styled guitar licks.

Vandermark's influence on the renewal of the Chicago free improvised scene cannot be overstated. This, plus the MacArthur grant he recieved has made him a figure of some stature, but has also made him a punching bag for other, less outwardly successful musicians here in Chitown and throughout the country. While I am really not sure that I feel Vandermark deserves to be singled out as a genius when musicians like Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarman and Sam Rivers have been largely ignored by the funding community, Vandermark is an undoubtedly gifted improviser. And he has done much to extend the interest in free improvising past the traditional boundaries of jazz. His fans include many 20-something punks and alternative music types. This can only be healthy for a style of music that, just a few years ago, was considered completely dead. And I, coming from the perspective of a 70's free improviser, can only thank him. This renewal of out music is only a good thing for all of us. (Now if only more of us can find our own style and not mimic Ken or John Zorn, then we will have it made!)

This is a progression from the previous work, "Single Piece Flow", sounding both more assured and confident. A collision of swing, be-bop and free jazz (albeit with restrained interludes), but with added accessibility afforded by the rock-like playing throughout(in particular the rhythm section). This would appeal to indie/rock kids and jazz snobs alike.

Vandermark seems to embody quality in music. Whether its V5 or DKV or any other project, the presence of Vandermark lifts every thing he does to a higher level. Even the mammoth 3 disc Brotzmann Octet/tentet on Okka disk (find it-get it) seems to be at its best on Vandermark's compostitions and solos -and that is one awesome group of players.

But what about this title? Yes, its got a noir quality! Yes, there is a rock element to the writing and playing. And yes, its a great session. I have read many reviews of V5 sets that seem to favor one over another and for me the quality is so consistantly high, its scary.

I recommend getting any V5. After that you'll want them all.

once ken vandermark was awarded a genius grant in the field of jazz...he deserved every penny.