The Squid's Ear Magazine


Chicago Underground Quartet: Good Days (Astral Spirits)

19 years after the last Chicago Underground Quartet album, this session with Rob Mazurek on piccolo trumpet, electronics & bells, Jeff Parker on electric guitar, and Chad Taylor on drums, percussion and newcomer Josh Johnson on synth bass & keys is a warm reunion, with individual compositions from Taylor, Mazurek & Parker, and two solo pieces by Mazurek and Taylor.
 

Price: $11.95



Quantity:

In Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 2.00 units

Sample The Album:





product information:

Personnel:



Josh Johnson-synth bass, organ, piano

Rob Mazurek-piccolo trumpet, electronics, bells

Jeff Parker-electric guitar

Chad Taylor-drums, percussion


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




Label: Astral Spirits
Catalog ID: AS125CD
Squidco Product Code: 29224

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2020
Country: USA
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded at BIG EGO, in Long Beach California, on July 6th, 2018, by Devin O'Brien. Additional recording on March 14th and July 9th, 2019.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"On May 13, 2000 the Chicago Underground Quartet played one of the most searing and transcendent sets of music I've ever witnessed, as part of the Empty Bottle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music. Cornetist Rob Mazurek, guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Chad Taylor, and bassist Noel Kupersmith performed with a fiery singularity of purpose, ripping through its set like a bulldozer, albeit a machine marked by nuance and soulfulness. The following year the same line-up-which had previously made two albums for Delmark as the Chicago Underground Trio despite, with Parker nominally billed as a guest-dropped its eponymous debut on Thrill Jockey, serving up one of the strongest entries in the city's modern history. Little did anyone know it would be nineteen years for the follow-up to surface. While Mazurek and Taylor continued to work together as the Chicago Underground Duo, and those two and Parker would occasionally collaborate in other contexts, it took a savvy maneuver by the Los Angeles producer, guitarist, and songwriter Chris Schlarb to bring all three together again for the first time in nearly two decades. Parker also enlisted saxophonist and keyboardist Josh Johnson-a Chicago native now based in LA, who plays in the guitarist's New Breed band-to hold down the bass function, using a Rheem Kee Bass as well as adding depth with various keyboards.

Working on a recording for his long-running Psychic Temple project that featured four diverse bands and artists in collaboration (Cherry Glazerr, the Dream Syndicate and rapper Xololanxinco), he gathered the erstwhile core of the Chicago Underground Quartet at his BIG EGO studio to participate. In exchange he offered to produce a new session by the band, nonchalantly fomenting a low-key reunion. Unlike the previous recordings by the band, which had been preceded by rigorous rehearsals and steady gigging by a working combo, this time the musicians site-read tunes each player brought in, ran through some arrangements, and recorded the album in a single day. "It sounds cohesive in the same way as when we were actually a working band," says Parker. "You can hear it, we're a lot better now."

While only Taylor's loping, funky "Batida" was composed specifically for the session, older tunes Parker and Mazurek contributed were composed with one another in mind. The guitarist originally wrote the smolderingly beautiful "Good Days" for Mazurek, although the horn player wasn't available for the session that produced his sublime 2012 trio album Bright Light in Winter, while the latter realized he envisioned a role for Parker on his "Strange Wing" when he wrote it as part of a commission for the Novara Jazz Festival. Still, the group injects something new and distinctive into every piece, including the opener "Orgasm," an Alan Shorter tune from 1969 that Taylor first arranged for a 2018 project in Philadelphia, which toggles between groovy hypnosis and spacey yet tumultuous exploration. "Unique Spiral" by Mazurek takes on a very different vibe than the version featured on his 2019 acoustic quartet album Desert Encrypts Vol. 1, where it was titled "Encrypts 37." He plays piccolo trumpet across the entire session, transmitting a new timbre for the group. "On Jeff's ballad it fits on the horn so well, it feels like a bird singing," he says. "It's papery." Indeed, even at his most ferocious there's something delicate, even vulnerable, about his sound on this record.

The album also features a couple of solo pieces, including Mazurek's haunting invocation "All the Bells," where tart smears and sputters infect a brittle melody voiced over meditative chimes and metallic clatter, while Taylor's solo log drum piece "Lomé" taps into the same sort of African roots excursions he so deftly revealed on his 2018 solo album Myths and Morals. In fact, what becomes clear as the album progresses is how many tools, ideas, and abilities each musician has acquired since they last all worked together. "We all grew musically and everyone was super active in their own things," says Mazurek. "It didn't feel like any time had passed. The only thing different is that maybe everyone's concept of making music is stronger after twenty years, but still similar, at least for this thing. I've ventured into some real crazy shit, but I love playing melodies and doing song structures as much as making the noisiest non-structured thing ever."

"Those dudes are still some of my favorite musicians on the planet," says Parker. "Every time I see them it's like we're just picking up where we left off. We're all very good friends and it's very easy. It didn't feel any different to me."

"-Peter Margasak, from the liner notes

Also available on LP.

Artist Biographies

"Josh Johnson is a saxophonist, keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist and composer. He has performed extensively with the likes of Jeff Parker, Kiefer, Makaya McCraven, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Leon Bridges and Marquis Hill.

Johnson can be heard on records by all of these artists, as well as records from the Chicago Underground Quartet, Jeremy Cunningham, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Dawes, Dexter Story, Louis Cole and Joshua White. His debut record "Freedom Exercise" (featuring Gregory Uhlmann, Anna Butterss and Aaron Steele) will be released later in 2020.

Since 2018, Johnson has been the musical director, keyboardist and saxophonist for Leon Bridges, which has taken him to Europe, Asia and Australia. Highlights of his time with Bridges include sold-out performances at Radio City Music Hall, Greek Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl.

As a composer, Johnson has written music for many of his own projects, including the bands Snaarj and Holophonor, in addition to writing music for commercial use. He recently contributed arrangements to Sara Gazarek's album "Thirsty Ghost", which was nominated for two Grammy awards. In 2015 Johnson was commissioned to compose an hour-long piece by the Los Angeles Jazz Society. His resulting multi-media work "UNREST" takes an unflinching look at the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest, and was premiered at the Angel City Jazz Festival.

Johnson currently resides in Los Angeles."

-Josh Johnson Website (http://www.joshjohnsonmusic.com/about)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Rob Mazurek is an American electro-acoustic composer, cornetist, improviser and visual artist living in Chicago, Illinois. As a composer, Rob Mazurek has written over 300 original compositions over the past 30 years, and has released 55 recordings on various labels. He currently leads a number of ensembles, including Exploding Star Orchestra, Pharoah and the Underground (featuring Pharoah Sanders), Chicago Underground, Pulsar Quartet, São Paulo Underground, Skull Sessions, Sound Is Quintet, Starlicker, Mandarin Movie and Throne of the House of Good and Evil, each of which possesses its own distinct musical personality.

He has collaborated with a wide variety of artists, such as Bill Dixon, Pharoah Sanders, Mike Ladd, Roscoe Mitchell, Yusef Lateef, Fred Anderson, Naná Vasconcelos, Mamelo Sound System, Kassin and Marcelo Camelo and others. Additionally, Rob Mazurek works as a visual artist (incorporating sound, painting and video) with numerous international performances, exhibitions and artist residencies."

-Rob Mazurek Website (http://robmazurek.com/)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Jeff Parker (born April 4, 1967) is an American jazz and rock guitarist based in Los Angeles. Parker is best known as an experimental musician, working with avant-garde electronic, rock, and improvisational groups.

Parker currently plays guitar in the post-rock group Tortoise and also was a founding member of the ensembles Isotope 217 and the Chicago Underground Trio in the 1990s and early 2000s. He is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, as well as working with musicians George Lewis, Ernest Dawkins, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Fred Anderson (musician) and Jason Moran. He has released three solo albums: Like-Coping, The Relatives and Bright Light in Winter."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Parker_(musician))
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Chad Taylor (b. 1973) is a composer, educator, percussionist and scholar who is a co-founder of the Chicago Underground ensembles. Originally from Tempe, AZ, Chad grew up in Chicago where he started performing professionally at the age of 16. Chad has performed with Fred Anderson, Derek Bailey, Cooper-Moore, Pharoah Sanders, Marc Ribot, Peter Brotzmann, Malachi Favors and many others. Chad leads his own band Circle down which debut recording was given a 5 star review by All music:

"What is remarkable is that there is no wasted motion, no histrionics or grandstanding, as pure emotion is translated to superlative music making on this most highly recommended recording, one for the ages." Allmusic.com

Chad has a BFA from the New School in Jazz Performance and a MFA in Jazz Research and History from Rutgers University."

-Chad Taylor Website (http://www.chadtaylordrums.net/html/about.php)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Orgasm 05:35

2. Strange Wing 08:05

3. Good Days (For Lee Anne) 02:54

4. Batida 02:41

5. All The Bells 04:00

6. Unique Spiral 05:34

7. Lome 05:11

8. Westview 03:59

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
Chicago Jazz & Improvisation
Quartet Recordings
Solo Artist Recordings
Recordings featuring brass instruments - trumpets, trombones, tubas, other horns
Percussion & Drums
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
Top Sellers for 2020 by Customer Sales

Search for other titles on the label:
Astral Spirits.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Lewis, James Brandon Quartet
Transfiguration
(Intakt)
With a rare ability to play hard-hitting jazz while maintaining a lyrical sense to his compositions, tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis' new studio album from his quartet of Aruan Ortiz on piano, Brad Jones on bass and Chad Taylor on drums is the fourth album from this working band, demonstrating their strong group affinity that invokes impressive soloing from all four.
Blum, John / David Murray / Chad Taylor
The Recursive Tree
(Relative Pitch)
An assertive album of collective free jazz from three masterful NYC players — John Blum (piano), David Murray (tenor sax) and Chad Taylor (drums) — recording in the studio for eight high-octane improvisations inspired by the mathematical and natural concept of recursion, comparing nature's expansive growth with the growth of jazz through the incremental expansion of ideas and influences.
Fefer, Avram Quartet
Juba Lee
(Clean Feed)
From post/hard bop to African-influenced spiritual jazz, the 2nd release from saxophonist & clarinetist Avram Fefer's quartet with Marc Ribot on guitar, Eric Revis on bass and Chad Taylor on drums swings freely or finds introspective grooves in nine original Fefer compositions of rich melodies around unusual time signatures, yielding extraordinary soloing and group interplay.
Brown, Rob Quartet (Brown / Swell / Lightcap / Taylor)
Oblongata
(RogueArt)
Having met in William Parker's Little Huey Orchestra, long-time collaborators Rob Brown (saxophone & flute) and Steve Swell (trombone), along with Brown's longest improvising partner, double bassist Chris Lightcap, join with drummer Chad Taylor for an exemplary album of modern creative jazz through five Brown compositions and 4 collective improvisations.
Lewis, James Brandon / Red Lily Quintet
For Mahalia, With Love [VINYL 2 LPs]
(Tao Forms)
Composer and tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis' exceptional Red Lily Quintet quintet (Kirk Knuffke on cornet; William Parker on bass; Chad Taylor on drums; Christopher Hoffman on cello) pays homage to gospel and jazz singer Mahalia Jackson through a suite of original Lewis compositions, reimagining some of Jackson's best known works; CD & LP issues include a bonus download track.
Lewis, James Brandon / Red Lily Quintet
For Mahalia, With Love [2 CDs]
(Tao Forms)
Composer and tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis' exceptional Red Lily Quintet quintet (Kirk Knuffke on cornet; William Parker on bass; Chad Taylor on drums; Christopher Hoffman on cello) pays homage to gospel and jazz singer Mahalia Jackson through a suite of original Lewis compositions, reimagining some of Jackson's best known works; CD & LP issues include a bonus download track.
Taylor, Chad Trio (feat. Brian Settles / Neil Podgurski)
The Reel
(Astral Spirits)
The 2nd album as a leader from NY drummer's Chad Taylor's Trio with long-time collaborators and friends, saxophonist Brian Settles and pianist Neil Podgurski, in nine diverse compositions with contributions from all three players along with two works from late pianist Andrew Hill; a wonderfully balanced album of creative jazz, from meditative to joyfully upbeat and rhythmically compelling.
Mazurek, Rob & Exploding Star Orchestra
Lightning Dreamers [VINYL]
(International Anthem)
Led by trumpeter Rob Mazurek with Damon Locks (Black Monuments Ensemble), Jeff Parker (Tortoise), Nicole Mitchell, Gerald Cleaver, Angelica Sanchez, Mauricio Takara and Craig Taborn, this compact version of Exploding Star Orchestra performs Mazurek's deep space and wide-ranging electric jazz compositions, including a side-long, immersive journey evoking spirits past, present and future.
Mazurek, Rob & Exploding Star Orchestra
Lightning Dreamers
(International Anthem)
A compact version of the Exploding Star Orchestra, trumpeter & composer Rob Mazurek's octet with guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Gerald Cleaver, pianists Angelica Sanchez & Craig Taborn, flutist Nicole Mitchell, vocalist Damon Locks and percussionist Mauricio Takara present a far-ranging set of electric jazz, Miles-atmospheres and lyrically compelling music.
Stewart's, Luke Silt Trio
The Bottom
(Cuneiform)
The introduction of a new trio bringing together Washington D.C. bassist Luke Stewart (Heroes Are Gang Leaders) with D.C. area tenor saxophonist Brian Settles and Chicago/NY drummer Chad Taylor, in an album carefully sequenced like a live performance, a journey through free improv, funky roots, world music, ending with a reference to La Monte Young's Dream House.
Fefer, Avram Quartet
Juba Lee
(Clean Feed)
From post/hard bop to African-influenced spiritual jazz, the 2nd release from saxophonist & clarinetist Avram Fefer's quartet with Marc Ribot on guitar, Eric Revis on bass and Chad Taylor on drums swings freely or finds introspective grooves in nine original Fefer compositions of rich melodies around unusual time signatures, yielding extraordinary soloing and group interplay.
A Pride of Lions (McPhee / Lazro / Abrams / Seguron / Taylor)
No Questions - No Answers
(RogueArt)
The 3rd meeting of the transatlantic quintet of Joe McPhee on alto & soprano saxophones and pocket trumpet, Daunik Lazro on tenor & baritone saxophones, Joshua Abrams on double bass & guembri, Guillaume Seguron on double bass and Chad Taylor on drums & mbira is heard in this exceptional 2018 concert at the International Jazzfestival Saalfelden in Salzburg, Austria.
Underflow, The (Gustafsson / Grubbs / Mazurek)
Instant Opaque Evening [VINYL 2 LPs]
(Blue Chopsticks)
The followup to their 2019 Corbett vs. Dempsey album and formalizing their trio name as "The Underflow", is an epic double LP of diverse and inspired free-ea from the trio of Mats Gustafsson on flute, fluteophone, baritone saxophone & live electronics, David Grubbs on electric guiar & voice, and Rob Mazurek on piccolo trumpet, wooden flute, electronics, percussion & voice.
Warriors of the Wonderful Sound Expanded Ensemble, The
Soundpath
(Clean Feed)
AACM legend Muhal Richard Abrams was commissioned by Philadelphia saxophonist Bobby Zankel to compose for Zankel's large ensemble Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, this monumental piece premiered in 2012, but only in 2018 was a 2nd performance possible, conducted by Marty Ehrlich and receiving 2 standing ovations, the band recording this studio version the next day at Drexel University.
Abrams', Joshua Cloud Script
Cloud Script [VINYL]
(RogueArt)
Double bassist Joshua Abrams provides the compositions for this studio album performed with Ari Brown on tenor sax, Jeff Parker on guitar and Gerald Cleaver on drums, an exceptional quartet of master improvisers who balance lyrical and soulful playing with explorative impulse, fueled by an empathetic responsiveness that only a long history of collaboration can engender.
Fefer, Avram Quartet (w/ Marc Ribot / Eric Revis / Chad Taylor)
Testament
(Clean Feed)
For this album saxophonist Avram Fefer opened up his working unit by adding legendary Marc Ribot on guitar, expanding the sound of the trio with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Chad Taylor, while digging deep into North African inspired spiritual hymns with beatiful melodies, many taken from some of his previous trio records but adding new shape and sonic explorations.
Douglas, Dave
Showing Up / The Power of the Vote [7" VINYL]
(Greenleaf Music)
2019 Record Store Day release, a 7" from trumpeter Dave Douglas in two different configurations: the lead track from his album "Engage" featuring guitarist Jeff Parker and cellist Tomeka Reid along with Anna Webber, Nick Dunston & Kate Gentile; and a B-Side from 2018's "Uplift" featuring Joe Lovano and Bill Laswell alongside Mary Halvorson, Julian Lage, and Ian Chang.
Musicianer (Sinton / Ajemian / Taylor)
Slow Learner
(Iluso)
Sidney Bechet referred to fellow musician as "musicianers", the title for New York baritone saxophonist Josh Sinton's trio with Jason Ajemian on acoustic bass and Chad Taylor on drums and percussion, in an outstandingly creative and compelling album of modern jazz showing the strong links between these three, dating back to their work together in Chicago in the 80s.
Mazurek, Rob
Rome
(Clean Feed)
Rob Mazurek solo works are brilliant displays of honest, lyrical and emotional playing, here recording in Rome for Radio Roma, bringing the cornet to the foreground, starting with a piece only on the horn, then adding electronics, piano, and prepared piano for a set of ethereal and spiritual improvisations that are not bound by any specific genre.
Revis, Eric
Sing Me Some Cry
(Clean Feed)
Double Bassist Eric Revis expands his concepts in this outstanding album with fellow New Yorkers, pianist Kris Davis and drummer Chad Taylor, and Chicago reedist Ken Vandermark on tenor saxophone, with all four players providing compositions that push the limit on structure and form while opening up the players to superb soloing settings of great modern jazz.
Chicago / Sao Paulo Underground feat Pharoah Sanders
Pharoah and the Underground / Spiral Mercury
(Clean Feed)
Live from Lisbon's Jazz em Agosto Festival, cornetist Rob Mazurek merges his Chicago and Sao Paulo Underground bands, adding bassist Matthew Lux and jazz legend tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, for a potent blend of modern jazz, electronics, and free improvised music.
Revis, Eric / Taylor / McHenry / Jones / Branford Marsalis
In Memory of Things Yet Seen
(Clean Feed)
A superb modern jazz release from NY bassist Eric Revis with Chad Taylor (drums), Bill McHenry (sax) and Darius Jones (sax), plus special guest Branford Marsalis on two tracks.
Ajemian, Jason / Tony Malaby / Rob Mazurek / Chad Taylor
A Way a Land of Life [VINYL]
(NoBusiness)
Bassist Jason Ajemian composed these 8 works performed with the Chicago/NY band of Tony Malaby on tenor sax, Rob Mazurek on cornet & electronics, and Chad Taylor on drums, a dynamic set of music that varies through a spectrum of styles while staying true to its jazz roots.
Gregorio, Guillermo
Faktura
(Hat [now] ART)
Guillermo Gregorio produces a series of compositions that reinterprets the structural concepts of Constructivism, Concretism, and Madi, focusing on the physicality of sound.
Bynum, Taylor Ho
Navigation (Possibility Abstracts XII & XIII) [2 CDs]
(Firehouse 12 Records)
The 1st of 3 releases documenting composer/cornetist Taylor Ho Bynums' Navigation project, in 2 CDS of studio recordings with his Sextet: Jim Hobbs on saxophone, Bill Lowe on trombone & tuba, Mary Halvorson on guitar, Ken Filiano on bass, and Tomas Fujiwara on drums & vibraphone.
Digital Primitives
Lipsomuch & Soul Searchin' [2 CDs]
(Hopscotch Records)
The trio of saxophonist Assif Tsahar, drummer Chad Taylor and multi-instrumentalist Cooper-Moore in the 3rd Digital Primitives release, rhythmic and soulful improvisation with an inventive New York attitude.



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC