Rob Mazurek & Exploding Star Orchestra Featuring Roscoe Mitchell - Matter Anti-Matter (2013)

A record that not only goes beyond some of the other recent work we've heard from Rob Mazurek – but a set that also offers up two richly different sides of his talents! CD1 features a mindblowing performance from the Exploding Star Orchestra – a special version of the group that features work from the legendary Roscoe Mitchell on alto and soprano sax, plus Chad Taylor and John Herndon on drums, Kevin Drumm on electronics, Nicole Mitchell on flutes, Steve Swell on trombone, Matt Lux on bass, Jason Adasiewicz on vibes and tubular bells, and Mike Reed on drums and bass clarinet! The sound is full, and forward-moving – some of the boldest work we've heard so far from this excellent group – recorded here in a special Brazilian performance that also features a bit of vocals from Damon Locks. Titles include "Lo & Volcanic", "Callisto The Bear", "Almathea Is Red", and "Ganymede & The Ice Parade". CD2 then steps into an entirely different world – a solo set of electronics from Rob, which sparkle even without his work on cornet – and show the deeper, darker subtext of sounds that often work more as a backdrop on some of his jazz albums. Putting the electronics in the forefront really helps us see how much Mazurek has grown in the format in recent years – amazing sounds that, at times, might well rank him with some of the best early analogue experimenters! Titles include "Cryogenics After The Land Of Spirals", "Pondering The Hidden Light", "Stalking The Spectrum Of Inevitable", and "Last Breath On The Forgotten Planet".

Tracklist:

1. Lo and Volcanic (CD 1) (3:31)
2. Europa (CD 1) (7:18)
3. Ganymede and the Ice Parade (CD 1) (5:25)
4. Callisto the Bear (CD 1) (8:29)
5. Himalia a Metaphor for Joe Frazier (CD 1) (5:15)
6. Almathea is Red (CD 1) (8:14)
7. Elara Beneath the Underground (CD 1) (6:43)
8. Pasiphae Gives Birth to the Minotaur (CD 1) (4:24)
9. Cryogenics After the Land of Spirals (CD2) (17:55)
10.Pondering the Hidden Light (CD2) (3:24)
11.Stalking the Spectrum of Inevitable (CD2) (17:04)
12.Last Breath on the Forgotten Planet (CD2) (1:07)
13.Ascension Dream Phoenix (CD2) (8:48)