DETAIL

The trio of altoist Frode Gjerstad, bassist Kent Carter, and drummer John Stevens was known as Detail and emphasized free improvisation. Recorded four months before Stevens' death in 1994 (with the concluding "On Their Own" featuring a mournful alto/bass duet the following year), this live set consists of two lengthy group improvisations and two briefer pieces before the later encore. Although not every moment is equally intriguing, the music holds one's interest because these musicians listened to each other closely and were constantly reacting to what was being played. Each of the players functions as an equal. Frode Gjerstad (who is in exciting form on "Last Detail") in particular deserves to be much better known. from allmusic