clxxxii. ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO: Funky AECO

clxxxii. ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO

Funky AECO (1984)
Lester Bowie, trumpet, fluegelhorn
Malachi Favors Maghostut, bass, percussion
Joseph Jarman, saxophones, clarinets, percussion, synthesizer
Roscoe Mitchell, saxophones, clarinets, flute, percussion
Don Moye, drums, percussion
(7:39)

from The Art Ensemble of Chicago and Associated Ensembles.

"Marking both the end of their relationship with ECM and the beginning of a more streamlined stretch of music making. The band would cut back on their once predominant, free-form explorations to make room for more bebop and crossover material." [Stephen Cook/AllMusic]

"Nothing so much as the atrophy of a once-radical band." [The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD]

**

Yeah, well screw you, too!

God forbid, a band should change its direction.

**

This 21-CD set contains all of the Ensemble's work with ECM plus the individual musician's later recordings with various groups of ever-changing talent. A stunning, gorgeous release.

**

Bowie improvises over a steady, repeating beat. Eventually a written riff pops up, and -- hell yes! -- it's funky!