Search - Art Ensemble of Chicago, Don Pullen :: Fundamental Destiny

One of My Favorite AEC Albums

Ryan Wepler | Waltham, MA | 12/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of a 1991 concert in Frankfurt features the Art Ensemble playing with pianist Don Pullen. The inclusion of the piano keeps the harmonic space a bit less open than on most AEC recordings and, as a result, there is a bit less free playing here than usual (no really cacophonous sections). The emphasis is on the compositions themselves and on continually inventive counterpoints that demonstrate exciting interplay between the musicians. The highlights for me are "Song for Attala" (composed by Mitchell) and "Fundamental Destiny" (composed by Jarman). "People in Sorrow" is well done (a bit freer than the other pieces) and "Odwalla" is well executed but the playing is mostly covered by the announcer introducing the band. The inclusion of Pullen also all but eliminates the AEC's typically heavy use of percussion. Jarman, Mitchell, and Bowie often play off of one another, and their lines are longer and less pointillistic than is common on some recordings.



The five stars are for the truly inspired and consistently well-executed playing. Those who like freer, louder, and/or more percussive incarnations of the AEC (e.g. Fanfare for Warriors, Bap-tizum) may want to look elsewhere, but this album should appeal to most fans of the Art Ensemble as well as fans of somewhat more traditional jazz. If you're new to the AEC, this isn't considered one of their hallmark recordings, but it would work well as an introduction to the band."