Dennis Gonzalez Yells at Eels, Colorado at Clinton

There are few groups that I say of, "probably better catch everything they do". Dennis Gonzalez Yells at Eels is one. Their latest, Colorado at Clinton (Ayler 133) confirms that feeling I have. A couple of days ago I covered the Gonzalez brothers along with guitarist Luis Lopes and Rodrigo Amado in Luis's fine album (see the guitar blog for the review). Now we are back with Stefan Gonzalez, drums, and Aaron Gonzalez, contrabass, in their regular gig as the rhythm team for Yells at Eels. They sound beautiful. Of course Dennis is here, fronting the band on his always moving trumpet and cornet. Aakash Mittal joins the group on alto sax. Together the four make some dramatically forward moving jazz in the new, avant, sometimes free zone.

This is thoughtful music but also music of excitement and fire. Dennis contributes four of the pieces; Aakash two. They are excellent table setters and sometimes they are part of the meal, too, so to speak.

Aakash is an old childhood friend of Dennis; this is a reunion after many years of separation. And the two work together very well, which I am sure was satisfying to them. Musically we all are beneficiaries.

Another excellent one from Yells at Eels.