A Discontinuous Line

Free jazz that takes off from the '60s tradition but adds extra layers of ferocity and a knowledge of modern-classical music. Themes are jamming and even melodic, and solos get furious and wild. Great stuff from the prolific Vandermark, who leads about 1,000 bands in Chicago, this one being his main vehicle. Vandermark sticks to the gruff, heavy baritone sax and/or clarinets, while Dave Rempis burns it up on the more "normal" alto/tenor saxes. Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello adds some interesting non-standard sounds. Great energetic stuff, as usual.

1- Coolly mid/fast and tense, w/great sax solos and a quieter bass/cello interlude
2- Swingy midtempo, happy. Then, more complex grooves, fast.
3- Quiet, with disconnected classical/improv feel. Interesting and exploratory.
4- Stately intro, into jazzy groove and a chunky bass/cello riff. Chaotic and disjoint near the ferocious end.
5- Swingy, mid/fast ... into fierce, spare sax attack
6- Curious improv/classical, bright but sparse
7- Dusky, passionate blast, not that fast but gets ferocious
8- Easygoing, low-key groove. 2nd half faster and bright.