Arrive Sax man Aram Shelton leads this alto-vibes-bass-and-drums quartet, yet another top-notch ensemble from the fecund Chicago free scene. Shelton offers some familiar rhythmic and compositional footholds here for the free-wary, but there’s still plenty of space for deep-groove exploration and invention. The band is at its best when Shelton and Jason Adasiewicz – channeling serious mid-60s‚ Blue Note Bobby Hutcherson vibes (both kinds) – are in heated conversations that get pushed relentlessly toward resolution and catharsis by Tim Daisy (drums) and Jason Roebke (bass). Nothing short of magic, and not to be missed by open-minded jazz fans. With Project Bluebird. Century/Patchwerk Playhuas. (John Schacht)
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2008.
