Dave Rempis / Joshua Abrams / Avreeayl Ra + Jim Baker
Scylla
Aerophonic Records
“This fourth record by the long-standing improvising ensemble Rempis/Abrams/Ra, and the third featuring now-regular band member Jim Baker, was recorded in a watershed moment for these musicians during a pandemic that had gutted lives across the planet. After 15 months of being closed to the public, the band’s home base Elastic Arts had re-opened for live events. And Rempis decided to relaunch his weekly Thursday-night concert series, a hub of the Chicago scene since 2002, with a performance by this working quartet.”
Columbia Icefield
Ancient Songs of Burlap Heroes
Pyroclastic Records
“"This album is dedicated to those who recognize living as a heroic act: the occupiers of sunup barstools; the cubicle-planted; the ghosts of Greyhounds; the reasonably sketchy. A burlap hero is one who marches—consciously or not—back to the sea in hopes of making no splash, who understands and embraces the imperfection of being, and in that way, stretches the definition of sainthood to fit." - Nate Wooley, February 2022”
Mark Cisneros / Nik Francis / Luke Stewart
We Were Here Before
Catalytic Artists Albums
“Catalytic Sound continues its Catalytic Artist Album fundraising program by releasing CAA-032 to the public, a recording by the trio of Mark Cisneros, Nik Francis, Luke Stewart, called We Were Here Before, Parts I and II. They have suggested that all donations received from the sale of this digital album should go to Empower DC (www.empowerdc.org), which since 2003 "has advanced racial, economic and environmental justice by investing in the leadership and organized political power of DC’s lowest income residents and communities."”
Survival Unit III
The Art Of Flying - For Alvin Fielder
Astral Spirits / Instigation Records
“This set finds the trio breaking new ground - Lonberg-Holm going sans electronics for the first time in Survival Unit III's storied discography - while displaying the mastery of sonic shade and deft interplay that's been their hallmark over the past sixteen plus years.”
Tim Daisy & Mark Feldman
Circle Back
Relay Recordings
“"Having left New York earlier this year, violinist Mark Feldman is a significant new Chicago transplant. He debuted at Elastic with a solo concert, but this time he was joined by drummer Tim Daisy for a spirited performance. At his most whimsical, Daisy can build a frenzy of percussion instruments. He adroitly used his ride cymbal to spur his partner and provide momentum. When in call-and-response mode, the violinist displayed some relentless inquisitiveness. Both musicians undoubtedly delivered one of the most uplifting performances of the festival, Feldman delving into dance territory often betraying klezmer roots, whose jauntiness kept popping up. A highlight occurred when the violinist got into a high-pitched serenade while Daisy provided a minimalist backdrop with an assortment of cymbals and gongs. Feldman resorted for the first and only time to pizzicato when the duo brought their collaborative effort to a stark close." -Alain Drouout, Downbeat Magazine”
