CHICAGO UNDERGROUND QUARTET
Self-Titled
Thrill Jockey
· A jazz masterpiece produced by John McEntire of Tortoise.
In 1965, Chicago’s AACM (the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) was created, and since then the city has been known for pushing the envelope, with local hipsters just as likely to head out for a night of free jazz, traditional blues or hardcore thrash.
One of the leading lights in the city’s music scene is Rob Mazurek’s Chicago Underground Quartet (also previously known as the Chicago Underground Orchestra, the Chicago Underground Duo and the Chicago Underground Trio). The music on Self-Titled is surprisingly visual (Mazurek is also a painter), bringing to mind both the splattered and frantic turmoil of Jackson Pollock ("Welcome," "Sink, Charge, Fixture") alongside the calm colour-burst blending of Mark Rothko ("Tunnel Chrome," "A Re-Occurring Dream"). Mazurek proves himself a master of the cornet, his fluid playing capable of all extremes from a peaceful echo to a raging maelstrom. Backed by some of Chicago’s finest and particularly well served by his constant companion, guitarist Jeff Parker (also of Isotope 217), Mazurek’s visions of sound have never been captured better.
Without a doubt, Self-Titled is one of 2001’s finest jazz releases.
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