One of the most striking projects we've heard from
Ken Vandermark in years – work with a younger group with a sound that seems equally balanced between free jazz, post-punk, and no wave energy – heard here on a set of live material, and a full session recorded in the studio! The quintet features two guitarists –
Andrew Clinkman and
Steve Marquette, one in each channel of the recording – alongside
Macie Stewart on keyboards and violin,
Phil Sudderberg on drums, and
Ken Vandermark on reeds – all playing together at a level that bristles with the combination of electric and acoustic energy. The studio material is as intense as the live set – and as usual with
Vandermark, there's some really surprising influences going into the songs – the live set is dedicated to Elza Soares, the studio one to Robert Bresson. Titles include "Key For 23", "Alphaville #2", "Trance", "L'Argent", "Roulette", "Two Or Three", "Baal", and "Porto".
(Out of print, numbered limited edition of 500.)