The
Collective 4tet, a piano-trombone-bass-drums quartet, performs three lengthy free improvisations on this CD. The musicianship is excellent, with pianist Mark Hennen sometimes playing tone clusters worthy of
Cecil Taylor, trombonist Jeff Hoyer giving the proceedings a bit of lyricism, and both bassist
William Parker and drummer-percussionist
Heinz Geisser taking very active roles in the direction of the music. The only real problem with this set is that there are some dull stretches where the musicians seem to lack inspiration. The interplay between the musicians usually cuts these segments short, but one needs a bit of patience in listening closely to the improvisations, for they are quite lengthy and not always eventful. Overall this is solid but not essential music. ~ Scott Yanow