Fred Anderson

Fred Anderson & DKV Trio is an excellent jazz album that captures the high level of musicianship possessed by these top Chicago players. Heard here are saxophonist Fred Anderson (founding member of the AACM), percussionist Hamid Drake, bassist Kent Kessler, and reeds man Ken Vandermark. With this group, there is no "warming up"; they're hot from the opening notes. "Planet E" is the first cut, and within no time the fire is stoked and the musicians move, wail, plummet, and shine. The breadth of playing hard and now -- of playing to live -- comes through quite clear; each tune reveals a different side of what exquisite players can do, from the walking-bass, standards feel of "Lady's in Love" to the rollicking urgency of "Aaron's Tune." Moments that, alone, are enough to justify this album's place in your jazz collection include "Black Woman," a heartbreaking, harmonizing saxophone duet that occasionally recalls "Gloomy Sunday," and a particularly brooding rendition of "Dark Day," an Anderson piece that appears on some of his other recordings, including Fred Anderson Quartet, Vol. 1 on Asian Improv. This take of "Dark Day" finds Vandermark on clarinet and Kessler bowing the bass in a manner that's alternately reflective and emotional. Hamid Drake's playing is faultless throughout. Fred Anderson & DKV Trio cannot disappoint any free-jazz fan; with its lyrical beauty, passion, and warmth, it will convert many a jazz enthusiast who thinks "free" means "squalling." ~ Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide