GATHERING OF ANCESTORS

Francis Wong's sax is the feature on this CD from Asian Improv Records (label caught my eye right away, because I've reviewed several outstanding works by Jeff Song & Matt Turner - as well as others - on this label). It's an interesting experience, for sure... cultural influences abound, & from the standpoint of great improvised music, I think this kind of blending will have a lot to do with shaping the great (new) musics to come in the 21st century. Definitely improvised (though with the framework of traditional Chinese, American Indian and Jewish pieces to diverge from), especially on the pieces that highlight Wong's saxophone (and flute) playing. I'm not sure if it was the strident beats of Kavee's drums, or the tendency to stick a little too closely to those ancient improv "patterns", but while interesting, it didn't have the "flavor of abandon" I had expected. Still, the blending of cultures reflected through this trio's playing styles has (both) high energy and a clear talent that will be attractive to many. Gets a RECOMMENDED from me. Rotcod Zzaj