BassDrumBone - Wooferlo (1989)

Bass-Drum-Bone is a three-way musical democracy featuring trombonist Ray Anderson, bassist Mark Helias and drummer Gerry Hemingway. Helias' intricate patterns and Hemingway's variety of sounds (a little reminiscent of Barry Altschul) keep the rhythms consistently inventive and inspire Anderson. The music ranges from the uptempo "I Don't Know" and the eccentric calypso "Sambali" to the catchy "Alligatory Crocodile." Only "Space," which at nine minutes wanders on a bit too long, is a minus. In general the musical partnership between these three talented improvisers is mutually rewarding and their accessible brand of avant-garde jazz is quite colorful.