Tracklist:

1. Passing Fields [06:24]

2. Dawn and the Flat Irons [08:42]

3. Biocarbon Man [08:49]

4. Deep North [05:55]

5. Bicarbonate of Soda, Man [04:33]

6. Speed Trap [02:52]

7. Distant Cities [05:29]

8. QEW [03:03]

9. Reasons for Moving [06:09]

 

Line-up:

Darren Johnston - trumpet

Fred Frith - electric guitar

Devin Hoff - bass

Larry Ochs - tenor & sopranino saxophones

Ches Smith - drums

 

Reviews:

 

Although this is an improvised session, it has that wonderful magic glue that these serious and seasoned musicians are so successful at. “Passing Fields” starts with spacious guitar and sax sounds, but soon the rhythm team kicks into a powerful groove. As Frith locks into the rhythm with some bold noise guitar, both horns spin furiously above. Frith sounds a bit like Sonny Sharrock jamming on an electric Miles session. Each piece explores different combinations of players. While « Dawn and the Flat Irons » begins with haunting trumpet and contrabass, soon the rest of the quintet is simmering along. One of the great things about this disc is that Darren's trumpet and Larry's saxes work so well together, in similar tonal areas. Fred Frith is the perfect middle man, balancing between the horns and rhythm team perfectly, whether dealing in dark colors and shades or occasionally soloing underneath or with the spinning horns. On a few on these pieces, Frith gets a chance to lead and stretch out and turn the quintet inide-out into a strange twisted (prog ?) rock unit. These pieces fall somewhere between Massacre and Material, yet they are still unique in their own way. Great things, fellows! 

 

(BLG, Downtown Music Gallery)