Beautiful work from Rob Mazurek – a player we respect more and more with each new release! The title here is especially well chosen – as "Sound Is" definitely what the record is about – a set that follows in the same legacy of sonic exploration first begun on seminal Delmark Records sides cut by the AACM in the 60s – recast here by a new Chicago generation that features Mazurek on cornet and piano, John Herndon on drums and percussion, Matt Lux on electric bass, Josh Abrams on acoustic bass and piano, and Jason Adasiewicz on some especially nice vibes! The vibes often have this chromatic quality that's starkly metallic – ringing out strongly next to Abrams' warmer bass, and Mazurek's palette of colors on his horn – driven by a brooding sense of rhythm from Herndon, playing here away from his more familiar Tortoise setting, and reminding us that he's always had a great ear for jazz. Titles include "The Earthquake Tree", "The Star Splitter", "The Dream Rocker", "Microrapagonafly", "Aphrodite Rising", "The Field", "Nora Grace", "Le Baiser", and "Dragon Kites". CD

A pretty wonderful set of tracks led by guitarist Jeff Parker, one of the most enormously talented, and one of the busiest guys in Chicago! Jeff spends time working with a number of avant garde jazz and rock combos like the Chicago Underground Quartet, Aesop Quartet, New Horizons Ensemble and Tortoise – but steps into a pretty straight up bop-learned jazz mode for his first full length as leader. He's leading a trio with Chad Taylor on drums and some light guitar, and Chris Lopes on bass and a little flute. Parker's sprays warm, fluid guitar lines throughout that really light the thing up. It's really warmly captured by producer John McEntire, too. Tracks include "Like-Coping", "Miriam", "Days Fly By", "Holiday For A Despot", "Omega Sci Fi", "Roundabout" and more. CD

A seminal record in the growth of Jeff Parker as a musician – a set done when Parker was a key member of Tortoise, and issued on the same label as that group – but a record that really shows the richness of Jeff's guitar talents that would explode in years to come! The set is definitely a jazz record, and maybe does hold some slight sonic semblance to some of Parker's other projects of the period – and the whole thing is a wonderful showcase for his creative phrasing on guitar, and a sense of tone and timing learned in his other collaborations, brought back to jazz in a really great way! The set features sublime drums from Chad Taylor, plus Sam Barshehet on Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric, and Chris Lopes on bass, guitars, and flute as well – on titles that include a sublime remake of Marvin Gaye's "When Did You Stop Loving Me When Did I Stop Loving You", which the group turns into more of an after hours sweet spot than a mournful soul lament – plus "Istanbul", "Mannerisms", "Sea Change", "Beanstalk", "Toyboat" and "Rang (For Michael Zerang)". CD

First album from this great little Chicago combo – and one that features a mix of hardbop and freer styles, with the kind of energy that characterizes some of the better work coming out of the current Chitown scene. The group includes guitarist Jeff Parker, also known for his work with Tortoise – and the tracks include versions of Ornette's "WRU", Monk's "Brilliant Corners", and Rollins' "East Broadway Rundown". Original titles include "Mannerisms", "Wait", and "Four Folks". CD