Anthony Pirog - Palo Colorado Dream (2014)

Palo Colorado Dream — recorded with the all-star trio of Michael Formanek (ECM solo artist, Tim Berne, Thumbscrew) on bass and Ches Smith (John Zorn, Secret Chiefs 3, Marc Ribot) on drums — is Pirog’s debut solo album, and it marks the young innovator’s entrance onto the national stage. The album has an immersive depth and understated allure that hold the listener rapt. And they illustrate all the various realms of Pirog’s artistry: the spinning fantasy-scape of his loops and the hard-nosed technical power of his soloing, his patience with a slow build and his knack for moments of fierce catharsis.

Anthony Pirog: all guitars, all keyboards, loops, vibraslap, Bleep Labs Thingamagoop, synthesizers
Michael Formanek: acoustic bass
Ches Smith: drums, bowed vibraphone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, Yamaha VSS-30