Briggan Krause, Chris Dahlgren, Jay Rosen - At All Costs Unknown (2000)

This is the second recording of this trio (which calls itself the Resonance Impeders) for the small but adventurous CIMP label, the first being the largely successful eponymous Resonance Impeders, recorded a few years earlier. As with the earlier release, this one is characterized by creative free improvisations from each member of the trio, a tight group concept, and compositions that go against the grain. Briggan Krauss is a powerful performer, his forceful blowing a factor even at lower volumes, as on "ant farming cousin." Jay Rosen is a drummer's drummer, his finely formulated rhythms capturing the spirit. Bassist Chris Dahlgren, by the time of this release, was one of the leading performers on his instrument, and his consistently innovative musicianship is clearly apparent. As the only horn, Krauss is the center of attention, squeezing soft, quick flutters on the sometimes aggressive "they had fallen into space and swung along in the dance of the constellations," and often squawking confidently. As with the earlier release, the trio traverses a large canvas, and many moods are explored. While some tracks are more successful than others, there is a life-affirming, though sometimes subdued, joy throughout. Composition plays an important role, too, as on the deliberative, marchlike "All that dies gladly dies." This is quality music all the way and, if it does not raise many eyebrows, that may be due in part to the somewhat uneven quality of some of the tracks. As with all releases from this label, the unadulterated sound is clearly captured, with the acoustic bass and lower tones from the drums a surprising delight.