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A brilliant free-jazz workout from (what appears to be) a one-off from veterans Haker-Flaten and Ra and relative newcome Mazzarella. Mazzarella is given center stage for much of this release's hour and he shines brightly - stretching out and showing his improvistaional chops off. Haker-Flaten's bass playing, as always, is a joy to listen to.
Favorite track: Rigel.
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Last 2 physical copies of this beauty. One of my favorite releases in the entire AS catalog.
Includes unlimited streaming of Mazzrella / Håker Flaten / Ra - Azimuth (Live at Constellation)
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
"Earlier this summer alto saxophonist Nick Mazzarella celebrated the release of his trio album Ultraviolet (International Anthem) with a performance at Constellation. The group—with bassist Anton Hatwich and drummer Frank Rosaly—has been the one that Mazzarella has played with most often during the last half-decade, and its third release is also its strongest. On Monday the trio plays a free concert at the Empty Bottle with Health & Beauty and Marrow—once again celebrating the release of the new recording (this particular evening fetes the emergence of the vinyl version of the album, so I guess the earlier show was just for the CD).
But Mazzarella has a newer trio recording that's just dropped. Last September he corralled bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (a former Chicagoan now based in Austin, Texas) and drummer Avreaayl Ra together for an improvised set at Constellation, which Mazzarella recorded. The performance is now available from the increasingly impressive Austin-based cassette label Astral Spirits, and it offers a nice contrast to the concise, swing-driven approach of Mazzarella's outfit with Hatwich and Rosaly. The tape Azimuth (Live at Constellation) features three lengthy group improvisations all marked by a fiery intensity, with the front man's playing less indebted to his usual Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane influences.
Side A of the tape consists entirely of "Vega," a 30-minute jam that ebbs and flows with an organic sense of development—grooves quicken and release, as do volume and energy. Although the musicians don't work together often, they're very much locked in here, responding to one another as an ensemble that rises and falls as one. That's not to say that each player isn't afforded lots of space to make individual statements—there are plenty of extended breakout passages, including an especially effective bass-drum duet halfway through "Vega"—but ultimately what makes the work most compelling is how collective it is. Below you can check out an eight-minute excerpt from "Vega." The trio has no Chicago shows on the calendar, but here's hoping they get to celebrate a cassette release soon, let alone a digital download."
-- PETER MARGASAK, CHICAGO READER
We are very excited to present a first time meeting of the incredible trio of Nick Mazzarella, Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten & Avreeayl Ra! “Azimuth (Live at Constellation)” is exactly that…their first meeting recording live at Constellation in Chicago, IL one year ago in September 2014. 60+ minutes of pure free improv that finds each member of the trio venturing outside of their comfort zones.
When Ingebrigt initially gave us the recordings of this show he made a specific point to mention that Avreeayl is on fire…and indeed Avreeayl is quite animated, stretching into many different zones (and beyond) where the Phil Cohran/Sun Ra influences are quite apparent. But this is a TRIO recording and both Haker-Flaten & Mazzarella turn in masterful performances. Haker-Flaten as always knows when to turn on the power and when to lay back into the groove, always with a masterful command that shapes and prods the improv. Nick Mazzarella may be a (slightly) lesser-known name in free jazz circles but I’m sure that will change very shortly. Mazzarella has been tearing up the Chicago scene (playing with his own trio as well as Ken Vandermark’s Audio One, Chicago Reed Quartet, and many many more) and is set to become one of the head honchos…Mazzarella’s playing on the opening 30 minute epic “Vega” goes from measured tones to almost Roscoe Mitchell-esque runs by the end and all levels in between. Most of what we’ve heard from Nick has been in more compositional settings so it’s extra exciting to hear him really stretch out around a world class free improv rhythm section.
credits
released September 25, 2015
NICK MAZZARELLA -- Alto Saxophone
INGEBRIGT HAKER FLATEN -- Bass
AVREEAYL RA -- Drum Set, Percussion, Flute
Recorded live at Constellation, Chicago, IL on September 8th, 2014
Recorded, mixed & mastered by DAVID ZUCHOWSKI.
Produced by Mazzarella/Haker Flaten/Ra
All music by Nick Mazzarella (BMI), Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (TONO/BMI) & Avreeayl Ra (ASCAP).
Special thanks to Mike Reed, Jason Roebke, Nate Cross & Morgan Coy.
supported by 26 fans who also own “Mazzrella / Håker Flaten / Ra - Azimuth (Live at Constellation)”
So happy to see a new album from this band. I've long been a fan of Mazurek and Parker's work in Tortoise, on top of the CUQ... Anyhow, if you're curious about contemporary jazz, this is a terrific place to start.
Hobie Anthony
supported by 25 fans who also own “Mazzrella / Håker Flaten / Ra - Azimuth (Live at Constellation)”
Simply amazing to hear a new album with Wadada and Ewart!! ...And Reed rounds out this trio beautifully.
Just gave it my first spin. Absolutely magical. jeffrey maurer