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"HiGH ▀ iNTELLiGeNCE tRoLLS"
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a r t i s t : Northwoods Improvisers
t i t l e : Fog And Fire
d a t e : 1994
l a b e l : Arc (ARC07-CD)
g e n r e : Jazz
r l s. d a t e : Jul-2004
t r a c k s : 10
b i t r a t e : 192kbps
s i z e : 94,1 MB
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Mike Johnston - Bass, Zither, Bells, Engineer, Recorder (Bass),
Mike Gilmore - Cheng, Vibraphone, Log Drums
Nick Ashton - Percussion, Drums
Forming in the late '70s, Northwoods Improvisers played for
nearly two decades before their unique blend of jazz, African
music, Eastern music, traditional folk, and free improvisation
was documented on this debut compact disc from Trevor Watts'
Arc label in 1994. Nearly 70 minutes of expansive music, all
recorded in one day, the album plays like a live Northwoods
experience, for which the band has garnered quite a following.
Mike Gilmore's vibes form the centerpiece of the band and the
album. His playing sits soundly next to the likes of legends
Bobby Hutcherson, Walt Dickerson, Milt Jackson, and Gunter
Hampel. As diverse as they come, Gilmore demonstrates his
Eastern roots on "Komodo Dragon," introducing Western listeners
to the hypnotic power of the cheng. A Japanese stringed
instrument sounding similar to a sitar, the song has a
propulsive rhythmic feel thanks to Mike Johnston's acoustic
bass and Nick Ashton's energetic drumming. This serves as a
perfect companion piece to opener "Gypsy Lady," a Charnet
Moffet piece which sounds like a cosmic '50s hard bop tune
(think early Sun Ra). Each piece on Fog & Fire has a uniquely
separate identity from the others, which can be difficult for
some to process. However, after repeated listens, the
appreciation for polar opposites like Ayler (an open, somber
tribute to free jazz genius Albert Ayler) and "Burning Trance,"
(a catchy polyrhythmic piece highlighting Ashton's gentle skill
for African/Eastern grooves) becomes mutual. Also of note are
"Ancient Fire," which showcases some very primal Randy
Weston-esque rhythmic energy as Johnston's bass dances with
Ashton's percussive powers and Gilmore's log drumming, before
he picks up the vibe mallets once more. Finally, "Fog" is the
listeners' first definitive glance into the extended free
ambient universe that the trio explores further on successive
albums. Vibe overtones beautifully crash with subdued
arrhythmic drumming/percussion, as Johnston first greets
listeners with his gorgeous bass recorder playing before again
picking up the bass and bowing. There is a definite Art
Ensemble of Chicago influence found here and in other
recordings on the album. For those scared away by the
Improvisers tag, fear not; these three clearly know what they
are doing, as rhythm and melody are quite abundant ù gliding,
driving over, or tugging at the soul.
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01-Gypsy Lady [08:27]
02-Komodo Dragon [05:53]
03-Ayler [06:19]
04-Burning Trance [06:38]
05-Blue Dream [06:56]
06-Bop [05:20]
07-Fog [10:10]
08-Morning [06:16]
09-Ancient Fire [06:55]
10-Sky [05:31]
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68:25 min
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