If you're wondering whether or not there is a connection between
Keefe Jackson
's
Fast Citizens
and
Aram Shelton
, the answer is a definite "yes."
are a collective, and they have different leaders at different times. While
Jackson
was the leader on the 2006 release
Ready Everyday
,
Shelton
is in charge on the 2009 date
Two Cities
(whose title was derived from the fact that
has both a Chicago connection and an Oakland connection).
was prominently featured on
and contributed the piece
"Blackout"
; on
, however,
contributes five pieces. But stylistically,
is not a major departure from
. Post-bop and avant-garde jazz are still
' focus, and the influences that served them well in the past (
Ornette Coleman
Sun Ra's Arkestra
Charles Mingus
Dave Douglas
, East European music) continue to serve them well on this 59-minute CD.
' approach remains an inside/outside approach, but ultimately, outside playing is dominant for the acoustic sextet (which consists of
on alto sax and clarinet,
on tenor sax and bass clarinet,
Josh Berman
on cornet,
Fred Lonberg-Holm
on cello,
Anton Hatwich
on bass, and
Frank Rosaly
on drums). And even though
is the one in the driver's seat this time, there is never any doubt that
are a musical democracy. All six members make inspired contributions to the cerebral, abstract post-bop/avant-garde/free jazz dialogue. Those who enjoyed the
-led
will be glad to know that
fare equally well under
's leadership on
.