MARSHALL ALLEN WITH LOU GRASSI'S POBAND
PoZest
CIMP
207

The correlation between creative improvised music and birds is infamous. Eric Dolphy may not have been the first, but his fascination with birds certainly stands out. More recently, there is Peter Brotzmann's active interest in the winged creatures. Now, Marshall Allen with "Bird Symphony," the opening track off his inaugural collaboration with Lou Grassi's PoBand, PoZest.

Clocking in at over thirty minutes in length, "Bird Symphony" is a harmonic configuration that aptly mirrors a conversation of birds or rather a symphony of them anyway. It is a tour de force in group free form expression. There are exhalting moments where pause is at bay for Swell's dark undertone, while Smoker allows for a constant contrast and Allen's riotous outbursts are opposed by Robinson's squeaking clarinet flights of fancy.

More often than not, themed free improvisation is a train wreck in the making. Remarkably, PoZest avoids the trappings of overproduction and makes way for a more logical and rewarding progression that is just as stimulating to the intellect as it is devilishly entertaining to the ears.

There are three other selections from the session on record, a not-so-blues oddly titled "(Midnight) Blues," a barely audible "Soft Winds" (hence the title), and a Smoker original "LouRa," but it is "Bird Symphony" that not only makes up half the record, but is its highlight as well.

The recording date produced enough music for a double CD. Here's hoping that there will be another PoZest volume to follow soon. One can hope anyway.

Fred Jung

Track Listing: 1. Bird Symphony; 2. (Midnight) Blues; 3. Soft Winds; 4. LouRa

Personnel: Marshall Allen, alto saxophone, flute; Lou Grassi, drums; Paul Smoker, trumpet; Steve Swell, trombone; Perry Robinson, clarinet, whistle; Wilber Morris, bass