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BOYKIN, SEIGFRIED & REED
Self-titled (Imaginary Records)
Reviewed by Chris Forbes
Before moving to Chicago in 2000 I had the mistaken belief that the AACM, Chicago's legendary free jazz collective was moribund. Outside of the big names like the Art Ensemble or Muhal Richard Abrams, there was very little evidence of ongoing growth in the organization nationally. However, once in Chicago, I realized that the truth was different. Far from being defunct, the AACM was peopled with many younger and very exciting musicians. One of the most interesting is multi-reedist David Boykin. Boykin leads a number of exciting groups including the large ensemble, the Dave Boykin Expanse, as well as his Outet and a number of groups with Niki Mitchell. But no group shows off Boykins versatility better than the wonderful trio, Boykin, Seigfried and Reed.
The BSR trio began as the house band for a free-jazz jam session at a small café on Chicago's west side. BSR played there for a number of months before relocating to Café Mestizo on the South Side. Playing hour long sets weekly before the jam session has honed the ensemble into an amazing, tight unit. The group's sound resembles nothing so much as the terrific trios that Sam Rivers led in the 60s and 70s. The can blow free with the best groups, explore sound and texture in a manner inspired by Roscoe Mitchell, and can move into a hard swing that is unrivaled. Karl Seigfried (pronounced sEYEg-frEEd) is a rock solid bassist with a big tone and lovely melodic ideas. Mike Reed is sensitive and is that rare commodity, a listening drummer. Over top Boykin is a marvel. He is a sax player who has worked to create an immediately recognizable tone and is well on his way to defining his own voice. The shadows of other players occasionally peak out, but never in a derivative way. Even when Boykin pays homage to Rivers, Joseph Jarman or Roscoe Mitchell, it is always from his own unique place, never as an imitator.
The music on this disc captures the essence of the group live. Though divided into seven tracks, each dominated by a distinct mood and approach, the tracks flow seamlessly into one another, much as the groups extended improvisations at Café Mestizo do. And, though there is a danger in a sax trio of the horn player dominating the proceedings with bass and drum accompaniment, this does not happen with BSR. They are a true collective. Each member moves to the foreground and recedes with ease. The sum makes up more than the considerable talents of each of its parts.
Boykin, Seigfried and Reed are worth catching live if you can. They are a very exciting group, one of the best Chicago has to offer. But until you can get yourself out to the Windy City, or they do a tour to your city, this CD is a great way to experience their magic. imaginary_records@yahoo.com
© 2004 - Chris Forbes