This CD has such intriguing writing by
Muhal Richard Abrams for his sextet that the group sounds like an orchestra at times. Trumpeter
Jack Walrath,
Patience Higgins (on tenor, bass clarinet, and English horn), bassist
Brad Jones, drummer
Reggie Nicholson (who also plays marimba and bells), Warren Smith (vibes, timpani, marimba, and gongs), and
Abrams (on piano and synthesizer) all have their spots to interact, and the wide variety of colors that
Abrams achieves from this instrumentation is always unpredictable. In addition to freer explorations, "DizBirdMonkBudMax" is an effective tribute to
Abrams' bebop roots, and several other pieces have sections where there are hints of early jazz while still looking forward to the future. This is one of
Muhal Richard Abrams' better-known combo sessions. ~ Scott Yanow