Ari Brown / Jeff Parker / Joshua Abrams / Gerald Cleaver

June 12, 2021

Cloud Script

RogueArt ROG-0107

Before Chicago bassist Joshua Abrams created the Natural Information Society that melded repetitive drones and ethnic pulses paced with improvisations, his work was closer to Free Jazz. In fact this 2016 session consists of six of his own compositions that express the talents of AACM stalwart tenor saxophonist Ari Brown plus guitarist Jeff Parker and drummer Gerald Cleaver. While the others have like the bassist, move in and out of different genres with groups like Tortoise and those of William Parker, Brown who often works with Kahil El’Zabar is a solid Jazz player.

Most of the tracks are fluid with an unfussy groove. They’re low key but not cloying and swing subtly. Notwithstanding Brown usually taking the lead with carefully modulated clarion expositions, often in tandem with Parker’s sometimes jagged and sometimes flowing lines, Cleaver’s solid crunches invariably and subtly preserve the rhythm while Abrams contributes spot-on pizzicato pacing or exotically tinged arco inferences. “Collapsing Novelty” is an instance of this as a series of spiccato rubs from the bassist shake up the narrative following distended smears and barbed split tones from Brown and responsive licks from Parker. Eventually atom-sized sound shards in the form of metallic string clangs and reed spetrofluctuation advance and blend singular outpourings. Abrams’ heavy-fingered thumps also give shape to “Echo Tracer”, further buoyed by Cleaver’s ruffs and paradiddle,s as the guitar and saxophone expose speedier and staccato timbres which are tempered at the finale as the two back into measured reed slurs and lyrical guitar frails. Brown’s tempered breaths that suggest Ben Webster as much as John Coltrane are featured on melodic outpourings like the concluding “Coniunctio”. But as much as a tenor showcase as this is, affirmative double bass plucks, guitar comping and well-paced drum splashes help define the restrained exercise.

A memorable if unexpected CD for those who may have just discovered Abrams, it must be stressed that the comprehensive programs hinges as much on the saxophonist’s talents as the bassist’s.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. In Place of Memory 2. Harbor 3. Echo Tracer 4. Duke Hill 5. Collapsing Novelty 6. Coniunctio

Personnel: Ari Brown (tenor saxophone); Jeff Parker (guitar); Joshua Abram (bass) and Gerald Cleaver (drums)