Calling All Mothers is the NRG Ensemble's first album with saxophonist Ken Vandermark taking the place of late group founder Hal Russell, but one wouldn't know just by listening, as the group sounds confident and very much together here. Featuring three tunes apiece by Russell, Vandermark, and saxophonist Mars Williams, plus one by percussionist Steve Hunt and one collective improvisation, the album has a nice element of diversity, yet it still coheres well…
Featuring Herb Robertson on trumpets, mutes & compositions, Frank Gratkowski on alto sax & clarinets, Julien Petit on tenor & bari saxes, Marcin Oles on double bass and Bartlomiej Brat Oles on drums. It is always great to hear the ever-inspired Oles brothers playing with the cream of improvisers like David Murray, Ken Vandermark, Chris Speed and Erik Friedlander…