A brilliant testament not just to the bass work
of Barry Guy, but to so many other factors as well – the open spirit
of the contemporary Polish avant scene, the strength
of key improvisers in each others' company, and even the much-lauded efforts
of the Not Two label to present material
of this nature in the sort
of richness it deserves! The first four
of the CDs in the package document different performances done over the space
of two nights at the Alchemia Club in Krakow – a performance space you'll recognize from other important recordings, and a perfect showcase here for al the greatness that unfolds over the course
of the CDs. Guy initially steps in as the bassist in the Aurora Trio, with Agusti Fernandez on piano and Ramon Lopez on drums and percussion – but the performances soon open up into a range
of other pairings and groupings that really stretch out. The set has two tracks with Guy in duos with Ken Vandermark on tenor; two more with Guy and Vandermark joined by Paul Lytton on percussion, and Percy Pursglove on trumpet; three trio tracks with Guy on bass, Lopez on drums, and Rafal Mazur on electric bass; three more with Vandermark next to Torben Snekkstad on saxes and reed trumpet, and Mette Rasmussen on saxes; two trio tracks with Lopez, Mazur, and Pursglove; and other pairings that include the above players in different groups! CD5 features a full 57 minute performance recorded for Polish Radio, with Guy leading a large improvising group made up
of the other players through a reading
of the composition "For To End Yet Again" – in a style that's very similar to his material with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra.