Dive into the avant-garde jazz realm with Roscoe Mitchell's "Bells For The South Side," a double album that captures the essence of a live performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. This 2017 release on ECM Records is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), an organization that has significantly influenced the jazz world. The album features Mitchell's signature free jazz and avant-garde styles, showcasing his mastery of the saxophone and his innovative compositional techniques.
"Bells For The South Side" spans over two hours, divided into eleven expansive tracks that explore a wide range of sonic landscapes. The album opens with "Spatial Aspects Of The Sound," setting the stage for a journey through Mitchell's unique musical vision. The tracks feature a variety of ensembles, including trios that harken back to Mitchell's time in Detroit in the 1970s, as well as collaborations with his colleagues at Mills College.
The album's highlight is its improvisational spirit, with Mitchell and his collaborators seamlessly blending premeditated structures with spontaneous creativity. The spirit of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, of which Mitchell is a co-founder, is palpable throughout the record, infusing it with a sense of history and innovation.
From the haunting "Prelude To A Rose" to the energetic "Cards For Drums, And The Final Hand," each track offers a unique listening experience. The album concludes with "Six Gongs And Two Woodblocks" and "Red Moon In The Sky / Odwalla," leaving the listener with a sense of the vast and unpredictable nature of Mitchell's musical explorations.
Whether you're a seasoned jazz enthusiast or a curious newcomer, "Bells For The South Side" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. It's a testament to Roscoe Mitchell's enduring influence and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz.
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