One of Dave McDonnell's biggest takeaways from putting time in with dozens of outfits is a desire for his own music to be immediate and reactive, mindful of pulse and the body's innate rhythm but also cerebral. A groove-oriented framework functions as rhythmic scaffolding for his complex harmonic motifs: witness the stacked polyrhythms on the hard-driving "Bullitt" and lithe "Vox Orion," or the lively Latin feel of "Nodes of the Moon." "Brandywine" is hook-laden and swings hard, similar to the bookends of "Bakers Man," the bulk of which is dominated by explosive free-improv fireworks.

The debut album of the Jason Stein Quartet, the Story This Time, brings together Chicago bass clarinetist Jason Stein with three of his favorite improvisers. With Joshua Abrams on bass, Frank Rosaly on drums, and Keefe Jackson on tenor saxophone and contrabass clarinet, the album features five original compositions by Stein and six under explored compositions by jazz luminaries Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Lenny Tristano, and Thelonious Monk. Following three critically acclaimed albums with his trio Locksmith Isidore, Stein's new Chicago quartet seamlessly integrates rigorous written material with fierce and imaginative improvisational flights.

Formed in 2002, the Fast Citizens are the Chicago-based sextet of Aram Shelton, Keefe Jackson, Josh Berman, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Anton Hatwich and Frank Rosaly. With a rotating leadership, they have made three records, each featuring a different member. Continuing the exploratory tradition of their first two albums - Jackson's Ready Everyday (DMK 571) and Shelton's Two Cities (DMK 590) - Gather augments their jazz, experimental and free improvised vocabulary with an ever expanding set of references ranging from the popular to the esoteric. "Fast Citizens continues to forge it's own direction, reaching beyond formulaic conventions to embrace new forms." - All About Jazz.

FROM THE REGION

BACK TO CHICAGO

Jason Ajemian's music conjures a fever dream of multiple musical universes. The bassist-composer has acquired a high profile during his years in Chicago & New York, performing with Marc Ribot's Sun Ship, Matt Bauder's Day In Pictures, Matana Robert's CoinCoin, Rob Mazurek's Exploding Star Orchestra & Chicago Underground Trio. Folklords has an outstanding group of New York improvisers (Kid Bliss, Owen Stewart-Robertson & Jason Nazary) performing conceptual, visual & sonic landscapes: meditative Mingus ballads, imaginary conversations between Sun Ra & Thelonious Monk, poetic takes on pop culture, and an elegy for Malachi Rischter.

Jazz trumpeter Brad Goode is back with his 4th Delmark CD, Tight Like This (yes, the same "Tight Like This" recorded by Louis Armstrong's Hot 5). He is accompanied by Adrean Farrugia, piano; Kelly Sill, bass; Anthony Lee, drums. A previous review said: "Goode's command of the trumpet allows for plenty of risk-taking moments, drenched with technical astonishment and raw emotion. With an abundance of melodic ideas, the Chicago native walks a musical tightrope, creating a rush of improvised suspense....Nature Boy (DMK 578) emphasizes everything genuine going on in jazz today. Goode and company are performing at an incomparable level, at once virtuosic and innovative." - John Barron, All About Jazz.

Bluesman James Kinds was born in Drew, Mississippi in 1943. He moved to Chicago in 1959 and quickly got involved in music. He hung out at blues clubs on the west side and formed his first group, Oasis, in 1967. He recorded "Ada" in the mid-'70s for Cloud 9 and it's still James' show-stopping closer which he sang at the 2007 Chicago Blues Festival. In 1982, Oasis issued West Side featuring guests Barkin' Bill, Eddie "Jewtown" Burks, Jimmy Dawkins and Hip Linkchain. Since then he has continued to play the blues, issue three CDs and maintain a Chicago presence by visiting and performing here often. With special guest Eddie Shaw.

Trumpeter & band effortlessly channel highly intuitive & energetic free playing (w. a nod to electric Miles) into inherently tuneful compositions, feat. Jeff Parker, Sara Smith, Chris Lopez, Chad Taylor (members of popular post-rock Chicago groups Tortoise & Isotope)

Few musicians face the challenges of contemporary music as thoroughly as multi-reedist/composer Rich Corpolongo. Drawing on such disparate influences as Charlie Parker and Karlheinz Stockhausen, the music on Smiles maps a vast stylistic terrain. (Previously deleted:7/1/07. Original release date:5/25/96)

MESSAGE IN BLUE

Young tenor sax genius is at it again with help from pianist Harold Mabern, Jim Rotundi on trumpet, John Webber on bass, George Fludas on drums & Steve Davis on trombone. (Previously deleted:11/1/07. Original release date:1/13/98)

Harmonica player Al Miller brings in three guitar aces to help him create this unique blues album: John Primer, Dave Specter & Billy Flynn. But Al doesn't just play harp. Whether he is wailing away on harmonica, singing, writing songs, or providing guitar accompaniment, Al imbues every aspect of his involvement in the music with feeling, which, as every blues fan knows, is what the blues is all about. Al sings most of the songs however John Primer sings lead on three. Also in the band are Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Kenny Smith, Barrelhouse Chuck, Ken Saydak and others. 17 songs in all including the previously unissued "Blizzard".

1949 and '51 recordings featuring Sidney Bechet, Muggsey Spanier, Don Ewell, Doc Evans and Miff Mole. Jazz Ltd. Was a Jazz club located at 11 E. Grand owned and operated by Bill and Ruth Reinhardt from 1947 into the early '70s. Bill played clarinet and led the five-piece house band at a time when many of Jazz's first creators were still out there hustling gigs. This is pure swinging traditional Jazz (some call it Dixieland) played by the pros. Thirteen songs include Maryland My Maryland, Egyptian Fantasy, Tin Roof Blues, High Society, Wolverine Blues, Maple Leaf rag, Charleston, Careless Love, Washington & Lee Swing and more. Also features a wonderful five minute interview with Bill and Ruth. (Previously deleted:7/1/07. Original release date:11/14/94)

TRIO & DUET