The Flow of Things

Sounding like a sour piece of gauzy metal set aflame, Roscoe Mitchell's soprano saxophone endlessly snakes its way through the three sections of "The Flow of Things" on this 1987 album of the same name. The piece forms the meat of this solo effort by the Art Ensemble of Chicago soloist, demonstrating Mitchell's knack for circular breathing as well as a longstanding love of full-throttle, free-wheeling group improvisation. It's not about swinging, but if you fancy being pinned to the wall by a barrage of high-end repartee by some of the best in the avant-garde jazz business, then this one's for you. Joining the fray are fellow AACM members pianist Jodie Christian and drummer Steve McCall, as well as Art Ensemble bassist Malachi Favors. Providing a break from the intensity, Mitchell offers up one of his engaging, mystically minimal sound sculptures, "Card for Quartet." The piece definitely gives one an idea of how the music of avant-garde classical composers like Varese, Cage, and Stockhausen can fit into a jazz context. The Flow of Things is probably not the best entrée into Mitchell's work, but after a few Art Ensemble of Chicago records and one of his earlier efforts, make sure to come back for a listen.