The Concept by Jim Ryan's Forward Energy

30 Apr

Written by Mark Keresman
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Dig my man, a-wailin’ sax! San Francisco Bay Area improviser Jim Ryan seeks the jazz-avant Grail, and finds it, too. The grail in this case is late-period John Coltrane Live In Seattle and the out-sax Franks, Wright and Lowe - all-out, let-it-roar-from-the-depths-of-the-collective-unconscious barrage of passionate skronk. While there’s no denying the urgency and commitment of the players, there’s a definite déjà vu about The Concept - it recalls the free jazz blow-outs I’ve heard 5, 10 and even 20 years ago - another problem is it’s all "release" and precious little "tension." It’s virtually non-stop, madly cathartic, rarely subtle blowing that rarely touches ground in the usual jazz theme/solo/theme sense. Still, if you, a hardcore, extreme "out" music fan - the kind that thinks Albert Ayler is mellow easy listening - need some folks to rail "free" at the universe for/with you, Ryan’s Forward Energy have got the arsenal.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Jim Ryan's Forward Energy
CD Title: The Concept
Genre: Free Jazz / Avante Garde
Year Released: 2003
Record Label: Cadence Jazz Records
Musicians: J. Ryan: alto & tenor sax; Alicia Mangan: tenor sax; Scott R. Looney: piano; Adam Lane: bass; Marshall Trammell: drums.
Label Website: http://www.cadencebuilding.com
Rating: Two Stars