Vandermark digs deeper into the Tradition
R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 09/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What struck me immediately about the latest from the Vandermark 5 is how it moves deeper into the Jazz Tradition. Not that this set will probably appeal to those who think jazz ended before 1959... ACOUSTIC MACHINE for the first time features Jeb Bishop only on trombone -- no dissonant guitar this time. Vandermark always dedicates his compositions, and those to Stan Getz and Lester Young on AM seem more apt than is sometimes the case. Others so honored include Archie Shepp, Elvin Jones, and Julius Hemphill. There are still Ayleresque moments, but also quiet interludes between numbers dedicated to composer Morton Feldman. The V5 doesn't sound much like John Zorn's Masada, but what they have in common is that they are in touch with Tradition. Both bands play post-bop that is accessible to anyone with an open mind and open ears. Vandermark and his band incorporate everything from swing to free/outside.
Atavistic also has a limited edition 2-disc version which includes FREE JAZZ CLASSICS, VOLUME 2, recorded live at the Empty Bottle in Chicago, with compositions by Shepp, Carla Bley, Frank Wright, Jimmy Giuffre, Julius Hemphill, and Don Cherry. (VOLUME 1 was included with a limited edition of BURN THE INCLINE.) Fantastic stuff, and a reminder that the Tradition is much larger than many bopsters imagine. (Atavistic has since issued FJC, V1 & 2 on a separate disc, and it's definitely worth hearing if you missed the limited editions.)
2005 UPDATE -- In retrospect, TARGET OR FLAG (see my review) and SIMPATICO were the best V5 recordings, their second and third from 1998 and 1999. Check those out for sure, and then SINGLE PIECE FLOW (1997), BURN THE INCLINE (2000) and ACOUSTIC MACHINE (2001). The more recent recordings from 2003 and 2004 are not bad, but are less compelling."
Energetic, moving jazz
Brian "Jazz Fan" J. B. | Kalamazoo, MI USA | 09/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is another fine disc from Ken VanderMark and his bandmates. I saw Ken at a local, independent music store a couple years ago, just playing his bass clarinet for the customers. He was in town for a show that night, and he has played here a couple of times. A few weeks ago I was at a local deli, when I saw Ken in line and recognized him. He and his band were on the way to Canada for a show. Stuff like Ken does is keeeping jazz alive and bringing it to a newer audience as well. The younger people should check it out, it has the energy they like, yet is not simple-minded nor does it wear out like pop music."
Brilliant!
jjjingleheimer | Rochester, NY USA | 09/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had the most fortunate opportunity to hear the V5 live this past weekend. What an awesome live performance. Two sets of jaw dropping avant-jazz. I purchased the Acoustic Machine disc following the show from Ken Vandermark himself! This album is pure energy, and will reveal itself in a different way during each listen. It's not for the faint of heart! Those who are up to the task will be rewarded."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1