it is rare in jazz (and recorded music in general) to see quick turnaround times from idea germination and recording to album release. usually there is an immediate reason or desire to push a recording out as quick as possible rather than mixing it to death or obsessing over details. such is the wonderful and rare case with the latest Exploding Star Orchestra record "Stars Have Shapes."
on June 16, 2010 and June 24, 2010 two jazz legends passed, Bill Dixon & Fred Anderson respectively. i'm not sure (and quite curious) if this recording is a reaction to those deaths or if Rob Mazurek and the orchestra had already planned on recording this album in June 2010 (I would really love to know if anyone wants to fill me in) . to make matters even more personal both Fred and Bill had played with Exploding Star Orchestra at different times (the second ESO album was with Bill Dixon, released on Thrill Jockey in 2009). but the turnaround on this is incredible. the album was released by Delmark records in October (on both CD and Vinyl no less). a mere 3 months from studio to vinyl on my record player. rare to find something that tangible these days, especially within the jazz world.
the A side comprises one 20 minute track "Ascension Ghost Imression #2" which is the centerpiece and highlight of the LP. starting from a lonely whistle, it builds subtly into a dust storm of beautiful electric and acoustic noise that wouldn't sound out of place on a Sun Ra or even an Emeralds record. Josh Abrams bass playing grounds the first half of the track sustaining the drone but giving it a sense of space and movement. the real clincher comes halfway through, right in the eye of the storm if you will. a refreshingly melody appears out of nowhere. and before you can blink it's gone and you're surrounded again by the noise and clatter. i especially love the multiple vibes players and extra percussion, gongs, wood blocks, etc. this track is, to me, the most fully realized 20 minutes of Rob Mazurek's sound world. it feels like a perfect amalgamation of all of his work to this moment.
the B side has three shorter tracks that compliment "Ascension" without ever really going full steam ahead. "Chromorocker" is reminiscent of the first Exploding Star Orchestra record. "One Block of Light" is a beautiful ambient piece. and "Impression #1" hints at side A but also reminds me a lot of Mazurek's Quintet record on Delmark "Sound Is" Great stuff, but nothing can top the immediacy of "Ascension Ghost Impression #2" this track is seriously one of the best things I heard in 2010.
listen to it here.
or go to Delmark and order a copy of the CD. LP is sold out at the source but might still be around at your local record store. i've seen copies of it at Waterloo Records (fyi for austinites).
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