Cool With That CD (ESP Disk)

The East Axis quartet features a remarkable lineup with Allen Lowe on alto and tenor sax, Gerald Cleaver on drums, Kevin Ray on bass, and Matthew Shipp on piano. Their music is a testament to free improvisation as a narrative form. The group creates purposeful and form-driven compositions, exploring the ever-evolving landscape of jazz. Recorded in August 2020, this album showcases their unique synergy, with each member contributing to the music's unpredictability and exciting journey. Allen Lowe, in particular, emphasizes the importance of playing with intent and meaning in free improvisation, making this quartet an embodiment of the positive changes in jazz over the past five decades.