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A remarkably strong trio set from Chicago heavy hitters Jeb Bishop, Jason Roebke and Frank Rosaly – Bishop compositions, some that have been in his arsenal for quite a while, so good for us that they've finally been recorded and with such an excellent couple of players! It must be said that it feels sharp and fresh and not like the fruition of a long brewing process, with ample space for improvisation along with the trio's impeccable sense of melody. Bishop plays trombone, Roebke is on bass and Rosaly is the drummer – each have played on many a top shelf jazz set the over the past decade or more and work together excellently here. Titles include "900", "Dusk", "Jacket Weather", "11 AM Verti Marte", "Full English", "Before And After", "Round Two", "The Lateness Of The Hour" and more.

A spare set of solo bass from Jason Roebke – one of the most compelling players on the Chicago scene these days! The record has all the round, proud tones you'd know from Jason's work in other groups – but given the solitary setting, there's also a lot more space as well – a much more tentative, contemplative feel that we're used to hearing from Roebke – almost as if, stepping away from other musicians, he's exploring things with a new sort of spirit. There's some really cool sounds from the strings at points – almost noisy, although still played with the kind of rhythmic intensity we always love in Jason's music – and in that way, the progression is almost like hearing some prepared piano lines spun out, ala John Cage – although this time around on bass, which makes for a really wonderful change! The album features two improvisations – one long, one short.

A beautiful combination of vibes and clarinet, played by this ultra-hip Chicago quartet – in styles that echo some of the best modern jazz modes of the late 50s! Despite a contemporary-looking cover, and a "tea" title that might make you think of a chillout set – the record has a really fresh, creative sort of feel – almost like uncovering a lost recording that paired the vibes of Teddy Charles and clarinet of Jimmy Giuffre sometime near the end of the 50s – with lots of cool tones and unusual rhythms throughout, and the great sonic sensibilities you might expect from Charles or Giuffre. The group features Jason Adasiewcz on vibes, James Falzone on clarinet, Jason Roebke on bass, and Tim Daisy on drums and percussion – and titles include "GFOP", "Fickle", "Lament On Ash Wednesday", "Last Love Song", "China Black", "Dwarfs", "Giants", and "No Milk".

A record with a concept that's really after our own heart – dedicated to the lesser-known forces in the Chicago jazz scene of the late 50s – put together as a tribute of sorts to the MJT+3, tenorist Nicky Hill, altoist John Jenkins, pianist King Fleming, and The Sutherland Hotel! Mike Reed's musical vision is quite clear here – as the group swings like some of the best modern Chicago combos from that wonderful period, but also shows off some sharper edges too – kind of playing with one foot in that first fresh wave of Chicago jazz in the 50s, but also showing some of the bolder voices that have grown up in the scene in recent years. Greg Ward's reed work is wonderful – on both alto and clarinet – and the group also features Tim Haldeman on tenor, and Jason Roebke on bass – and all players handle a bit of percussion and piano too. Titles include tracks by Wilbur Campbell, Sun Ra, John Neely, Tommy Madman Jones, and other Chicago figures – plus a few of Reed's own – cuts that include "Is It", "Wilbur's Tune", "People", "Status Quo", "Planet Earth", "Fa", "Pondering", "Saturn", and "Things".

Brilliant music from this Chicago collective – a group who initially turned their talents to resurrecting sounds from the Windy City underground of the postwar years, but who now make their own bold statement of identity! There's a focus here that we really love – an evolution past free jazz modes, into a more defined sense of sound – one that's rich in compositional structure, but which also still lets the players really burn with fires of their own! The core group features great horns from Greg Ward on alto sax and Tim Haldeman on tenor – plus leader Mike Reed on drums and a bit of melodica, and Jason Roebke on bass. Guests include Jeff Parker on guitar, Jeb Bishop on trombone, and David Boykin on tenor – and titles include "VS #1", "It's Enough", "About Us", "Big & Fine", "Flat Companion", "Big Stubby", "Under The Influence Of Lunar Objects", and "Days Fly By (With Ruby)".

Wonderful work from one of the most compelling players on the Chicago scene of the past few years – vibist Jason Adasiewicz, a player whose sound is really taking the instrument one step further in its evolution! The group here features some equally fresh-voiced Chicago talents too – Josh Berman on cornet, Aram Shelton on alto sax, Frank Rosaly on drums, and Jason Roebke on bass – all players who realy match the inventive energy of Adasiewicz's lead – almost a "new thing" vibe at times, especially given that his fragmented use of vibes takes us back to some of Bobby Hutcherson's most adventurous recordings of the 60s. Titles include "Good Looking Android", "Creep", "Little Screw", "Small Potatoes", "Valerie", and "Gather".

Wonderful work from one of the most compelling players on the Chicago scene of the past few years – vibist Jason Adasiewicz, a player whose sound is really taking the instrument one step further in its evolution! The group here features some equally fresh-voiced Chicago talents too – Josh Berman on cornet, Aram Shelton on alto sax, Frank Rosaly on drums, and Jason Roebke on bass – all players who realy match the inventive energy of Adasiewicz's lead – almost a "new thing" vibe at times, especially given that his fragmented use of vibes takes us back to some of Bobby Hutcherson's most adventurous recordings of the 60s. Vinyl has a slightly different track list than the CD – with titles that include "Good Looking Android", "Creep", "Little Screw (alt take)", "Small Potatoes", "Valerie", and "Defense".

An incredible meeting of two generations of Chicago modern jazz – the contemporary one, represented by the group of Mike Reed – and a postwar generation, represented by players who include trumpeter Art Hoyle, tenorist Ira Sullivan, and trombonist Julian Priester! Given that both Hoyle and Priester have a resume that includes work with Sun Ra, you can bet they're a great fit for the forward-thinking sounds of drummer Reed's group – the excellent Peoples, Places, & Things combo that also features Jeb Bishop on trombone, Greg Ward on alto, Tim Haldeman on tenor, and Jason Roebke on bass. This piano-less ensemble sounds amazing here – a mix of older and younger players, recorded live in performance at Chicago's Milennium Park – performing work that includes some Chicago modern classics by Sun Ra, Wilbur Campbell, John Jenkins, Clifford Jordan, and Priester. Titles include "Urnack", "Lost & Found", "El Is A Sound Of Joy", "Song Of A Star", "Third Option", "Wilbur's Tune", and "The And Of 2".

Beautifully-blown bass clarinet from Jason Stein – recording here with a spare, stripped-down lineup that only features Jason Roebke on bass and Mike Pride on drums! The bass clarinet is no stranger to an avant session like this, but it's also never usually the single frontline instrument either – more the sort of horn that's picked up by a tenorist for a bit of extra flavor, and not used with the same sort of direct, confident energy that Stein produces in this set! The tracks are somewhat free, but never overindulgent – and many are short enough to really just get their point across, then retire while the energy is still right. Titles include "Stevenesque", "Amy Music", "Augusta Gun", "Future Lungs", "Izn't Your Paper Clip", "Most Likely Illiterate", and "Sad Crestwood".