(Avant-Garde Jazz, Free Improvisation) Eric Revis' 11:11 (Jason Moran, Ken Vandermark, Nasheet Waits) - Parallax - 2012, WEB, FLAC (tracks), lossless

Like what happened to other absurd walls, the one artificially dividing “mainstream” and “avant-garde” jazz is definitely destroyed by this superband reuniting the generous efforts of Eric Revis, Ken Vandermark, Jason Moran and Nasheet Waits. As if it wasn’t enough to be four of the best performers around in their respective instruments, they’re simultaneously the most innovative and the most true to the tradition among all of the present day jazzmen. A quartet like this comes directly from the dream world. It seemed impossible, but here it is, and making all the sense. Bassist Revis has an incredible curriculum of collaborations with Betty Carter, Branford Marsalis, Billy Harper, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Peter Brotzmann, McCoy Tyner, Elvins Jones and Lionel Hampton. Now he fronts 11:11, providing the most part of the compositions. Vandermark is the leading force of the Chicagoan free bop scene, mastering the grainiest tenor sax sound we can find in the States. Moran and Waits are accomplices in the group directed by the first, one of the bravest around: Bandwagon. The pianist has a remarkable history with the likes of Charles Lloyd, Wayne Shorter, Sam Rivers and Steve Coleman, and the drummer walked a similar path, from Max Roach M’Boom to his own projects, going through Andrew Hill. You can’t miss this album. It would be like not knowing what’s going on.

Eric Revis - double bass
Jason Moran - piano
Ken Vandermark - clarinet, tenor saxophone
Nasheet Waits - drums