Art Ensemble of Chicago

2003 release ** "A lesser-known set from the Art Ensemble Of Chicago – a CD originally packaged with an Italian magazine, now presented here on its own! The performance is from 1997 – and the group features Lester Bowie on trumpet, Roscoe Mitchell on reeds, Malachi Favors on bass and percussion, and Don Moye on assorted percussion – all in a style that shows all the relaxed, confident modes of the group in their mature years. The ensemble's almost more compelling here than on some of their better-circulated sides from the 70s – as they really know what they're doing, where they're going, and what each of them can bring to the table – a familiarity that allows the group to shift modes easily without sounding like they're dropping the ball, in was that flesh out nicely, like some of Sun Ra's senior sides. Titles include "Urban Magic", "Mama Wants You", "Dancer", "Chant", "Horn Web", "Odwalla", and "Strawberry Mango"."