From a compositional angle, the music here is truly unique. Plake's vocabulary focuses on sparse and vertical phrases which probe the fringes of tonality but never leave you with the feeling that you are bound to any particular key center. Sometimes Plake sounds like he's walking the bar, and sometimes like he's walking on air. You never know what the next phrase will bring.
One of the more delightful elements of this very unorthodox recording is the way in which the players relate to eachother. Anders Swanson is an incredibly intuitive and melodic bass player who seems to hover at the foundation in anticipation of any opportunity to provide interesting interplay. Likewise, Fundyga and Wrate provide interesting conversation and flawless execution of Plake's quirky melodic material. Wrate also provides some unusual percussive interjections especially in track 4 (which features Plake getting down and dirty with some great solo material).
As with most of the increible things 9 Winds puts out, this CD points the way to a very unique new expression of the jazz language as it exists today. There are no tired licks, no overplayed standards, no posturings, simply fantastic playing. Plake is a consumate saxophonist and composer and this recording should promptly find itself in your collection.
This is CD is available from 9 Winds records, PO Box 10082, Beverly Hills, CA 90213