Chicago Underground DuoAxis & AlignmentReview

Though the Chicago Underground Duo occasionally seem to comprise of three members and often swell to become the Chicago Underground Quartet or even the Orchestra, Axis and Alignment just features core members drummer/vibraphonist Chad Taylor and the cornet and electronics of Rob Mazurek.

Though the prospect of a cornet/drums duo may lack obvious appeal, the CUDs approach transcends the limitations of the format. Taylors ability to play vibes and drums simultaneously helps, (as anyone whos seen them live will tell you), while occasional synthetic basslines from Mazureks powerbook provide a bedrock for the duos interplay.

Powered by Taylors octopoid rhythmic constructions, Mazureks graceful cornet picks out infectious, joyful little riffs ("Lifelines" is virally catchy) or occasional fruity improvs. On "Two Concepts for the&" he looses off a really touching solo, suffused with equal amounts of fragility, strength and intelligence that Don Cherry would have been proud of.

While Mazureks early recordings showcased his ability as a player of straight bop inflected jazz, since then his concern seems to have been to strip away the extraneous; theres nothing showy or excessive, just a desire to communicate.

Though many of the tracks seem to be unadorned live duo performances, some are spiced up with electronics (Mazurek recently released a solo electronics record) or a spot of post production dub action. "Memoirs of a Space Traveller" finishes up with a looped acoustic guitar interrogated by Mazureks muted cornet; its this kind of thing that suggests the CUD as a sort of synthesis of the improvisations of the AACM school with the cooly minimalist constructs of the Chicago post rock scene (Mazurek also guests with post rockers Tortoise).

The closing "Noon" hints at prime 70s Miles, with Mazureks cornet morphed and ring modulated into echoed blobs of colour; beautiful, poised stuff. The only dud is "Average Assumptions &&", whose ham fisted out of tune piano and vibraphone duet suggests an acid crazed Russ Conway jamming with Bobby Hutcherson. Programme that one out, and youve got 39 minutes or so of absolute heaven.