Ball Play, Free Jazz Improvisations and Compositions

Avant Garde warmth at its best

     

A trio recording with seasoned bassist Drew Gress and the younger New Yorkers Mika Pohjola and Mark Ferber is a real treat for the modern jazz-tuned ear. This is great music coming from the heart, and reminds me a little bit of early Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley and Ornette Coleman from the 60s. But there's something else that definitely makes this its own, and – should I say – almost timeless. The tune selections are really great: Free jazz guys often do their either original material or an album with standards; here you'll find fresh contrasts between the two, and the standards are pretty much straight and non-embellished interpretations. The slightly funky analog sound just makes the music more credible! It could have been recorded onto tape at a live gig or possibly in a concert hall with no audience.