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Marc Edwards / Weasel Walter Group: Blood Of The Earth

By Mark Corroto
July 6, 2010
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Marc Edwards / Weasel Walter Group: Blood Of The Earth

Double drummer-led free jazz sessions come with a price, and both aural and contemplative muscles need to be flexed. With Blood Of The Earth, from drummers Marc Edwards and

Weasel Walter

drums
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Weasel Walter, the challenges for immersion in a sonic concentration of spontaneity and stamina.

But this is not your father's retread of

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's Ascension (Impulse!, 1965). The two drummers have taken the 1960's concept of freedom as starting point and fired their rockets way past the stellar regions.

Edwards—a former member of bands by

Cecil Taylor

piano
1929 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor,

Charles Gayle

saxophone
1939 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Gayle and

David S. Ware

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">David S. Ware—teams with Walter, founder of founded the Flying Luttenbachers and whose music bridges jazz and hardcore. Only saxophonist

Darius Jones

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Darius Jones is retained from Edwards and Walter's previous disc, Mysteries Beneath The Planet (ugEXPLODE, 2009); this 2009 session also features trumpeter

Forbes Graham

trumpet
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Forbes Graham, firebrand saxophonist

Elliott Levin

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Elliott Levin and bassist

Adam Lane

bass, acoustic
b.1868

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Lane, who might be the only anchor holding this group from levitation.

The sextet sustains two tracks of 32 and 27 minutes each, with only a few passages of respite. The incessant nature of this music acts like a shot of espresso to an ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) sufferer. The power and pulse is actually calming, once inside the music. The ebb and flow of energies and solos compliment the rawness with occasional serene passages, but it's just the calm before the coming storms.

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Track Listing

Red Stream; Black Earth.

Personnel

Marc Edwards

drums

Marc Edwards: drums; Weasel Walter: drums; Forbes Graham: trumpet; Darius Jones: alto saxophone; Elliott Levin: tenor saxophone, flute; Adam Lane: double-bass.

Album information

Title: Blood Of The Earth | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: ugEXPLODE

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