On the fourth of his five-suite cycle, composer/arranger
Klaus Konig utilizes a 12-piece group to intepret seven of his compositions, all but one of which are dedicated to two composers apiece (one from jazz and one from classical).
Konig's music actually owes little (except inspiration) to any of his predecessors (even if "Later That Night" does sound a little like a crazy modernization of
Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag"). On this continuous set of avant-garde music, two soloists are heard from on each selection with all of the musicians geting a brief spot on the concluding "Fine Nelly in Fin Alley." Altoist
Frank Gratkowski and trumpeter
Kenny Wheeler are the individual standouts but the emphasis is on the full ensemble which does a spirited job of interpreting this difficult but logical music. ~ Scott Yanow