John Corbett's "Heavy Friends" here are figures from Chicago's improvisation and avant-jazz scenes. In this group is horn player
Mats Gustafson (Aaly Trio), cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm (
Boxhead Ensemble, In-Zenith), and Terri Kapsalis. Terri provides the voice to a version of "Cold Sweat." Delivered in an irritating tone and over-treated with effects, this is in the last and lesser half of the CD.
Corbett spent a year off and on working on this album and came up with very good audio collages found on the album's first half. The weaker material is cacophonous Frankensteins sequestered to the recording's rear. Most of what is going here is montage by
Corbett. For the first half this clever and funny sonic sculpture is worth walking all the way around and considering.
John Corbett is a noted and intelligent writer on music, but prepare for his creations to go over your head. ~ Tom Schulte