For their third CD,
Astral Project stretch compositional boundaries. This set of originals is again split between the membership;
James Singleton with two,
Steve Masakowski with three,
Tony Dagradi with four.
John Vidacovich writes one and sings an emotionally affected version of
"Old Folks." Unmistakably modern
jazz, the quintet also explores hard
funk, cool and spooky or loose and swinging
neo-bop, rambling free style, lugubrious
ballads, and more.
The opening title track mixes hard
swing and New Orleans
funk in a perfect 50/50 blend. There's ultimate dramatism in
"Smoke and Mirrors," gospel intonations during
"Protecting Circle," and a heady progression of Irish
chamber-space guitar-free
improvisation-cascading piano-Irish
chamber musics on
"The Queen Is Slave to No Man," truly a stunner. Most selections are saxophone driven,
Dagradi is even more extroverted than on earlier recordings. He's breaking out of a
'Trane-
Michael Brecker derived sound, and seems bent on shattering those notions. Reveling in this diverse musical gumbo, drummer
Vidacovich plays possessed, dynamic, precise rhythms. If there's a difference between this and the outstanding previous CD
Elevado, these compositions may be a bit less tuneful, more challenging, but no less exciting. The diversity within their identity is as startling as the brilliant musicianship. This ensemble seems to take a more
experimental approach with every passing year. They're restless, not willing to stand on their lofty laurels. And they may suffer slightly in stark tempo changes from cut to cut on
Voodoo Bop. Nonetheless, this is another triumph from a truly extraordinary group. Highly recommended, for both fans and the uninitiated. ~ Michael G. Nastos
![The Very Best of John Coltrane [Rhino]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0081227977825_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "The Very Best of John Coltrane [Rhino]")
