Aki Takase - New Blues (2012)

New blues, but with some definite rootsy elements too -- yet all turned around in really weird ways, by an ensemble that features some key contributions from Eugene Chadbourne! The set's half originals by pianist Aki Takase, and half old classics by Fats Waller, WC Handy, and Jelly Roll Morton -- served up in a very playfully avant approach -- with the sort of freshness we remember from Chadbourne's great recordings in the 80s. Takase plays piano and handles all arrangements -- and the group features Chadbourne on banjo, guitar, and a bit of vocals -- plus Rudi Mahall on bass clarinet, Nils Wogram on trombone, and Paul Lovens on drums -- plus guest trumpet from Alex Von Schlippenbach on one track. Titles include "Dr Jazz", "So Long Kurt", "New Blues", "Joint Is Jumpin", "Mr Jelly Lord", "Memphis Blues", "Take The U Train", and "Dead Man Blues".