QED features saxophonist
Elton Dean in various contexts, from a duet with bassist
Paul Rogers to trios, quartets, and a quintet with
Jim Dvorak (trumpet), Nick Evans (trombone),
Rogers, and
Mark Sanders (drums). Other players include
Alex Maguire (Hammond organ and piano),
Tony Bianco (drums),
Paul Dunmall (tenor sax),
Simon Picard (tenor sax), and Robert Bellatalla (bass). The seven improvisations were recorded during one studio session and three live dates, all in January 2000. Even though collaborators and configurations change from one track to the next, this set forms a more cohesive (and interesting) whole than
Moorsong, another
Dean hodgepodge released around the same time on Cuneiform. These are all free improvisations with jazz roots. Highlights include the opening and closing numbers, two energy-filled trios with
Maguire and
Bianco on which
Dean also plays electric piano (a wink to his
Soft Machine days?).
Bianco's
Rashied Ali-inspired drumming and
Maguire's funky Hammond playing turn these two tunes into exciting free-form fusion numbers. The horribly titled "Sax.com" is a nice sax quartet with
Dean,
Dunmall,
Picard, and Jason Yarde. It makes a great contrast with "Sheepdogs," the aforementioned duet, where
Dean reminds us how soulful his playing can be. The longest track is the quintet improv, "Deep Crease," the most textural of all.
QED is a healthy dose of
Elton Dean and a release his fans will not want to pass on. ~ François Couture