Extraordinary Popular Delusions

The Last Quintet is probably the last session recorded by Chicago-based multi-reedist Mars Williams (1955-2023), whose cancer took his life less than three months later. Williams, who worked with everyone from the Psychedelic Furs to Peter Brötzmann, was a regular Extraordinary Popular Delusions (EPD) member playing sopranino, soprano, alto and tenor saxophones; zither, whistles, electronic devices and toys.

Augmented by Jim Baker (piano, analog synthesizer, viola); Brian Sandstrom (bass, guitar, 6-string electric bass, electronics and Steve Hunt (drums, percussion, glockenspiel, miscellaneous paraphernalia), EPD had regular club gig for more than 15 years. When unavailable Williams was spelled by Edward Wilkerson Jr., but this CD set captures one of the few times Wilkerson’s tenor saxophone, clarinet, alto clarinet, didgeridoo and oud played alongside Williams. Wilkerson led 8 Bold Soul, the unique, but undersung AACM mini-orchestra, while the others are veterans of bands like the NRG Ensemble and Witches & Devils.

With double reed expression paramount, melody isn’t the first noun suggested as the two circle around every variation of multiphonics and extended techniques while Sandstrom and Hunt express as many backing textures they can while moving from instrument to instrument.

The one unperturbed player seems to be Baker who mostly sticks to the piano during the three protracted tracks. From slow developments to curvaceous forward motion, high pitched and pedal point chording, his showpiece is the 34-minute plus “Blue Mars”. After an introduction with sweeps and stops, his keyboard patterns take in romantic asides and high-pitched tinkles before adding to the tension with tones ranging from harpsichord-like plucks, measured keyboard pressure and finally a harp-like buzz. Meanwhile mixed high and low-pitched saxophone splatters and peeps are in the foreground, projected with every variation possible from sopranissimo screams to clarion pitches.

With Ascension-like overblowing and harsh emphasis at a premium throughout, there’s no argument as to the power of both reed players or their contrapuntal skills. However with constant reed blends and equal squalls, squeaks and stutters, only when Wilkerson blows some didgeridoo notes or clarinet trills is he positively identified. Additionally the only indication that Williams is playing is on “Red Mars” when he chortles within his horn’s body tube mocking Baker’s formal pianism.

The sheer dynamism of the two horns plus the in-sync creativity of the rhythm section means that The Last Quintet is not a delusion but extraordinary and one of Williams more notable discs. It’s too bad the title is prescient as well as reflective.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: CD1: 1. Red Mars 2. Green Mars CD2: Blue Mars

Personnel: Mars Williams (sopranino, soprano, alto and tenor saxophones; zither, whistles, electronic devices, toys); Edward Wilkerson Jr. (tenor saxophone, clarinet, alto clarinet, didgeridoo, oud, voice); Jim Baker (piano, analog synthesizer, viola), Brian Sandstrom (bass, guitar, 6-string electric bass, electronics); Steve Hunt on drums, percussion, glockenspiel and miscellaneous paraphernalia)