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Another great group from Chad Taylor

greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 05/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chad Taylor's energy seems to be boundless. This shows up not only in his drumming but in his myriad projects. He is half (along with Rob Mazurek) of the Chicago Underground network of groupings and a member of Sticks & Stones.
Active Ingredients is his attempt to unite the two musical communities he works in, i.e., New York and Chicago. The basic group is a quartet which includes the incomparable Jameel Moondoc on the alto sax, Steve Swell on the trombone, and Tom Abbs on the base. For this recording, they are augmented in various combinations by Rob Mazurek on the cornet, David Boykin on the tenor and Avreeayl Ra on percussion.
There are multiple strengths to this ensemble. Because there are no chordal instruments, when the players solo they do so supported only by the rhythm section or by another horn. The horn men are brilliant at that. Moondoc and Swell create simulataneous solos that sound like well-prepared duets. Moondoc has not played with Boykin as much as with Swell but he should- they positively inspire each other. But then Moondoc is brilliant throughout this CD. His solo on Slate practically reinvents saxophone articulation. He somehow stangles his notes as they emerge so they come out as a yelp. It is so interesting it almost obscures just how good is the melodic arc of the solo.
And as for Mazurek, he serves largely as the high voice on the melody statements and to provide commentary during the solos. He gives the music depth and wit in so doing.
Mr. Taylor's drumming is fantastic. He is a constant presence, busy yet articulate. It must be a joy for the horn guys to play on top of that much energy.
Another strength are the compostions. Obviously influenced by the melodic world of Ornette Coleman, Mr. Taylor also has penned tunes that have a nice Afro-Cuban feel or that sound like crazed marches, etc. It is am impressive array of musical ideas displayed for quartet, quintet, etc(the group plays as a septet on only one tune). In fact, on the very off chance that he ever reads this, I would now like to suggest to Mr. Taylor that he keeps this septet going as a working group. These guys play well together and he writes very well for that size of group.
As for the rest of us, all I will say is that this is a good a jazz recording as I have heard coming out of 2003. If I was inclined to create top ten lists for that year, this would definitely be on it.
Mr. Taylor is obviously a talent to watch continue to grow."