Rogueart presents "Cloud Script", a stunning new release from bassist Joshua Abrams that showcases the deep musical chemistry of one of Chicago's most compelling quartets. Recorded at the legendary Electrical Audio on September 26th, 2016, the album captures a singular moment of creative communion between four master improvisers.
Abrams leads this exceptional ensemble with his characteristic blend of rhythmic sophistication and melodic invention, supported by an all-star cast: veteran saxophonist Ari Brown, whose tenure spans decades of Chicago's jazz evolution; guitarist Jeff Parker, renowned for his work with Tortoise and as a solo artist; and drummer Gerald Cleaver, one of contemporary jazz's most sought-after percussionists. Engineered by Ken Brown in the pristine acoustics of Steve Albini's Electrical Audio, "Cloud Script" presents Abrams' original compositions in their full dimensional glory. The recording captures every nuance of the quartet's interplay, from whispered exchanges to explosive collective improvisations.
As Rogueart notes, this is "sharp, deeply interactive, and soulful music" from a "brilliant quartet." The album demonstrates how contemporary jazz continues to evolve through the vision of artists like Abrams, who seamlessly blend composition and improvisation while honoring the music's deepest traditions.
"Cloud Script" represents both a document of Chicago's thriving creative music scene and a testament to the enduring power of the jazz quartet format in the hands of visionary musicians.