Search - Steve Swell :: Fire Into Music

The fascinating thing about this album is that trombonist Steve Swell, ostensibly the leader of the Fire Into Music Quartet with saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc, bassist William Parker and drummer Hamid Drake, didn't know this record was being made until he received a copy. Business issues subsequently were worked out and the release is official but the backwards methodology might actually have worked in the group's favor.

Knowing a record is being recorded for release, particularly in the realm of the avant garde, may and has resulted in some stilted albums, sadly unrepresentative of a group's ability. Not so here. There is no trace of self-consciousness or music that sounds like it was produced ultimately to be sold. Instead, the two side-length tunes (one each by Moondoc and Swell) are warm and inviting, lovingly capturing a live moment with an effectiveness not often found. -Andrey Henkin, All About Jazz