A seminal early set on the Okka Disk label – the important Chicago avant imprint who began documenting an important stretch of the career of
Joe McPhee – much as the Hat Hut label had begun 20 years before! The set features performances recorded during
McPhee's first appearance in Chicago during the mid 90s – the start of a beautiful relationship that would continue for decades to come – and
McPhee blows both reeds and trumpet, in a trio with Ken Vandermark on saxes and Kent Kessler on bass – all working together in a very open studio format that has the players shifting between trio work, to solo and duo performances too. The recording is crucial – as
McPhee's sensitivity brings out a whole new side of both Chicago players – on titles that include "Heart Of The Matter", "A Meeting In Chicago", "Breakneck Ridge", "Lalibela", "Empty Bottle Blues", "Fourteen Years Later", and "I Leave You Love".
(Jazz, Out Sound) (In a nice gatefold sleeve.)