Search - John Tchicai :: John Tchicai's Infinitesimal Flash

Though ostensibly tenor saxophonist John Tchicai's date, no doubt resulting from his well-deserved elder-statesman status, Infinitesimal Flash is a 68-minute collaborative effort through and through. Fellow saxophonist Francis Wong, bassist Adam Lane, and drummer Matt Marucci each add a strong voice and compositions, merging with Tchicai's distinctive style in a meaningful way. The combination of Wong's burly tone with Tchicai's warm clarity gives richness to the tandem sax voicings, particularly apparent on Marrucci's "T's Groove." The addition of flute on several cuts only adds to the textural variety. Many of the compositions have an engaging Ornette Coleman-like feel to them, allowing Wong and Tchicai plenty of harmonic room to explore. In fact, there's an openness to exchanging energies and ideas throughout the music that gives it buoyancy and spirit, much in keeping with Tchicai's inspiring body of work. --Wally Shoup