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Jason Stein / Damon Smith / Adam Shead: Five Nights in the Midwest
by Mark Corroto
Their tour did not pass through the Rattlesnake Speedway in the Utah desert. Still, the improvising trio of bass clarinetist Jason Stein, bassist Damon Smith, and drummer Adam Shead conjure a similar sense of a gathering force, like the superstorm evoked in Bruce Springsteen's 1978 song “The Promised Land." “There's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor," Springsteen sings, heading straight into the storm. Stein, Smith, and Shead do much the same. Their music does not trade in rock ...
Continue ReadingKeefe Jackson / Jakob Heinemann / Adam Shead: Stinger
by Mark Corroto
Stinger marks the debut release from the trio of saxophonist Keefe Jackson, bassist Jakob Heinemann and drummer Adam Shead. Yet, from the cohesion and interplay captured on this recording, it is clear these three musicians have collaborated extensively. The group exemplifies the Chicago ethos of collective creation--both in compositional approach and improvisational execution. Jackson and Heinemann each contribute three compositions, while Shead handles the sound mixing, graphic design, and overall production, underscoring the project's collaborative spirit. Jackson has ...
Continue ReadingMicroplastique: Blare Blow Bloom!
by Glenn Astarita
Blare Blow Bloom! by Microplastique, a Chicago-based contemporary music group, is a wild ride through the avant-garde jazz landscape. The album is a cacophony of sound that somehow manages to be both chaotic and harmonious, a testament to the artists' musical prowess and fearless creativity. The press release states: “Performing the compositions of band leader Adam Shead, Microplastique creates music that is both absurd in its aesthetic and serious in its execution." The album features selections from concerts in Cleveland, ...
Continue ReadingMicroplastique: Blare Blow Bloom!
by Lawrence Peryer
Chicago's experimental music scene welcomes a new voice as Microplastique, four multi-instrumentalists, release their debut album, Blare Blow Bloom! (Irritable Mystic Records), on December 6, 2024. Formed in April 2023, the group includes Ben Zucker, Molly Jones, Josh Harlow and Adam Shead, with Shead composing and leading. Blare Blow Bloom! documents Microplastique's July 2024 US tour. Ten tracks from shows in Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Lafayette, and Indianapolis display the group's talent for reshaping composed material through improvisation. Each ...
Continue ReadingJason Stein / Damon Smith / Adam Shead: Volumes & Surfaces
by Glenn Astarita
Jason Stein, a saxophonist with a penchant for pushing boundaries, brings his avant-garde sensibilities and razor-sharp technique to the fore in Volumes & Surfaces. Known for his dexterous command of the bass clarinet, Stein has made a name for himself in the jazz world with his innovative approach and fearless improvisation. His contributions to this album are no exception, as he seamlessly blends precision with spontaneity, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience. Stein's work with the trio, alongside bassist ...
Continue ReadingJason Stein / Marilyn Crispell / Damon Smith / Adam Shead: spi-raling horn
by Glenn Astarita
spi-raling horn by these genre-destroying avant-garde jazz artists is a whirlwind journey through the vast landscapes of jazz, where the boundaries between tradition and innovation blur into a kaleidoscope of ultrasonic exploration. This album is not just a collection of tracks, but a sonic crusade led by a quartet of virtuosos who wield their instruments like sorcerers conjuring spells. From the start, listeners are transported into a realm where bass clarinet giant Jason Stein with legendary piano great ...
Continue ReadingJason Stein / Damon Smith / Adam Shead: Volumes & Surfaces
by Mark Corroto
Damon Smith might be the hardest working man in show business. Free-jazz show business, that is. If there is a performance or recording somewhere in the States or Europe, there is a very good chance his double bass is in attendance. You name an improvising artist and he's recorded with them, from Roscoe Mitchell to Joe Morris, Jaap Blonk, Joëlle Léandre, Peter Kowald, Sandy Ewen, Burton Greene, Joe McPhee, Fred Van Hove and Henry Kaiser. The list is practically endless. ...
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