Stumble is an incredibly vibrant concert recording of the AALY Trio with Ken Vandermark which took place January, 1998 at Chicago's Unity Temple. All of the participating musicians are skilled and passionate players who, by the end of the 1990s, had stepped up to the forefront of free jazz and extended techniques. Although many listeners are put off by the sounds of avant-garde jazz's wilder territories, others find the hot and fiery side of jazz energy to be invigorating; this album is for the latter group. Included are excellent and equal contributions from all of the musicians who comprise the Swedish trio: Bassist Peter Janson, drummer Kjell Nordeson, and tenor saxophonist and flutist Mats Gustafsson (who also plays the fluteophone, a cross between the two instruments). Joining them is Chicago saxophonist and clarinetist Ken Vandermark, who adds two compositions heard at the beginning and end of the show. These numbers are firmly entrenched in blues roots, carrying on a wailing, at times plaintive, blues spirit with conviction. The second composition of the show comes from Janson and opens with several minutes of dramatic saxophone soloing. When the rhythm section finally does come in, the bass is, unfortunately, a bit lost in the maelstrom of rollicking drums and still-going saxophones. Next is the comparatively short Gustafsson/Nordeson tune, Hommage a Lillen clocking in under seven minutes (the other pieces exceed 11). The slightly lost-in-the-mix bass of Umea is atoned for with the beautiful and warm rendition of Charlie Haden's Song for Che; the first five minutes is a bass solo during which Janson distinguishes himself as a first-rate, tasteful, and intuitive bassist. Rounding off a truly impressive show is Vandermark's Why I Don't Go Back, a melodically lovely, slow blues burner with a heartbreakingly emotional delivery. Stumble documents a stunning and involving performance from a new generation of jazz innovators. Highly recommended. ~ Joslyn Layne, Rovi

1		Stumble [For Pee Wee Russell]
2		Umea
3		Hommage a Lillen
4		Song for Ché
5		Why I Don't Go Back

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