What interests me (one of the things) in today's improvisational music world is that there are no limitations on the content of the improvisations. They can utilize the vocabulary of modern jazz, they can evoke rock elements, they can go with the language of "free" music, or, with today's CD, they can veer more towards the modern classical side.
But just because you do something doesn't mean you do it well of course. With Jean-Marie Foltz (clarinets), Matt Turner (cello), and Bill Carrothers (piano), "well" doesn't begin to describe what they do. To the Moon (Ayler 112) has the introspective contemplation of a George Crumb and a Claude Debussy. It has when warranted the power of the best of the improv ensembles. It has some of the spaciness of classic ECM jazz. And it has the fascination with unusual sound color and aural pauses of Cage and Stockhausen.
The resulting music is very accessible for those who have some familiarity with the above styles. Out of all their influences Foltz-Turner-Carrothers have crafted music that is occasionally breathtaking, always interesting, and all their own.
Highly recommended.
