Non-Cognitive Aspects of the City: Live Iridium
Since first declaring themselves the Art Ensemble of Chicago in Paris, 1969, the AEC have combined ritual, free jazz, and funk into an intense and irresistible whole, influencing generations of jazz and soul performers. Recorded in 2004 at New York's Iridium, this two-CD set marks a rebirth of the group, restoring it to the combustible quintet dimensions that marked its greatest accomplishments. Multi-reedist Roscoe Mitchell and drummer Don Moye are the mainstays, joined here by returning saxophonist Joseph Jarman, with bassist Jaribu Shahid and trumpeter Corey Wilkes filling the vacancies left by the deaths of Malachi Favors and Lester Bowie. There's a rare emotional fire and collective energy here, from the restored spirit of Mitchell's early "Erika," a melody of soaring lyricism and longing, to the exploratory sound improvisation of "Red Sand Green Water." Mitchell and Jarman propel one another to their limits, while Wilkes brings an authentic new trumpet voice to the group.--Stuart Broomer