The Rempis Percussion Quartet - Hunter-Gatherers (482 Music, 2007) ***½

Dave Rempis has long been - and still is - the second reed-player next to Ken Vandermark in the Vandermark 5, together with Tim Daisy on drums. Both musicians are joined on this double CD by Frank Rosaly, also on drums, and Anton Hatwich on bass, for a great live performance. Despite the strong rhythm section, the music on this album is very light, free-flowing jazz, showcasing of course the powerful skills of Rempis on sax. And it's good for him to get out of Vandermark's shadow. Rempis' style is lyrical and melodic, and the long pieces offer him the possibility for lots of expansion on the themes and stylistic variations, from real free blowing to more traditional bop, over softer more subdued moments. The second track "The Bus And The Canyon" is a variation on Jimmy Giuffre's "The Train And The River". The greatest joy of the album is the clear pleasure that musicians and audience seem to find in this high quality improvizations that keep focusing on producing great music without any pretence.

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