New Music Releases: Art Ensemble Of Chicago, William Hooker, Chick Corea

Art Ensemble Of Chicago - We Are On The Edge – 50th Anniversary Celebration

A tremendous tribute to the legendary Art Ensemble Of Chicago – a group who work here with only two of their surviving members, but with help from a constellation of jazz musicians inspired by their music! The group here is large, and includes AACM members and other younger talents – a fantastic lineup that mixes the core work of Famadou Don Moye on drums and percussion, and Roscoe Mitchell on reeds with work from Nicole Mitchell on flutes, Hugh Ragin and Fred Berry on trumpets, Tomeka Reid on cello, Jaribu Shahid and Junius Paul on basses, Enoch Williams and Titos Sompa on percussion, and Christina Wheeler on voice and a range of unusual electronic instruments! There's a very ambitious feel to the music – like some of Roscoe Mitchell's larger form creations, but with more of a spiritual jazz current that comes from the whole ensemble – and from vocal contributions from Moore Mother and Rodolfo Cordova Lebron. The double-length set features a studio album and a live album by the expanded group – and titles include "Bell Song", "We Are On The Edge", "Chi Congo 50", "Fanfare & Bell", "Odwalla/The Theme", "Tutankhamun", "Mama Koko", "Saturday Morning", and "Villa Tiamo".  ~ Dusty Groove

William Hooker - Symphonie Of Flowers

A great album as a leader from the legendary William Hooker – and a fantastic reminder of how wonderful he can be in the spotlight! The set begins with some solo drum work from Hooker, then moves into bolder improvisations with an unnamed saxophonist and pianist (odd that the label didn't give us this information) – the latter of whom plays some very cool Sun Ra-like electric piano at one point! Hooker is clearly the star of the show, though – and begins with some almost-funky lines, something we've never heard before – then moves into the more familiar mode of improvisation that's made his work on other albums so great over the years. Titles include "Jazz", "Soul", "Hieroglyphics", "Chain Gangs", "Freedom Riders", and "Rastafarian". ~ Dusty Groove

Chick Corea - Flying on the Wings of Creativity

A Christmas celebration from Chick & Friends, available exclusively from Chick's website. Hear arrangements of Christmas songs never heard on Earth or other parts of the galaxy: Pennies from Heaven; A Child is Born; Greensleeves; and The Christmas Song. With Chick on piano, Gayle Moran Corea (Return to Forever & Mahavishnu Orchestra) on vocals, Hans Glawischnig (Chick Corea & Billy Childs) on bass and Tom Brechtlein (Wayne Shorter & Robben Ford) on drums. This is an exclusive recording from Chick, not available in stores, meant to inspire throughout the holidays.