Ken Vandermark & Paal Nilssen-Love - Chicago Volume

Ken Vandermark: tenor & baritone saxophones, bass & Bb clarinets
Paal Nilssen-Love: drums, percussion

If I'm not mistaken, this is the fourth duo release between Vandermark and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums. The latter seems to enjoy the format, having released duets with John Butcher, Joe McPhee, Mats Gustafsson. The first piece brings Vandermark in his usual highly rhythmic, almost funky improvisation, with Nilssen-Love equally playing up a storm. Things slow down afterward and become real sensitive on the second track, with the occasional outburst of power and anger, and more abstract on the third piece, with Vandermark taking up his bass clarinet on both tracks. The last piece is called "Mort Subite" or "sudden death", the name of a Belgian beer and also a famous café in Brussels. (from Free Jazz)

2009 CHICAGO VOLUME