Ab Baars Trio & Ken Vandermark

Goofy June Bug

Wig 15

(...) There’s nothing vague about this set with Chicago-based multireedist Ken Vandermark, who has blogged at lenght about the process that led up to its recording. Rather than fly the ringer into town and run straight into the studio, they rehearsed the material and toured it around Europe for a month before tracking it. The outcome is more than an hour of deeply considered, boldly played music that covers a lot of ground, from harmonically severe chamber pieces to droll, swinging workouts.
The composing is split between Vandermark and Baars, with one group improvisation that functions as a coda. Both men have clearly thought about how to make the most of the band’s collective abilities. (...) This is a peak performance by a crew of seasoned veteran’s, and one of the better records I’ve heard this year.
-- Bill Meyer, Down Beat October 2008

(...) This symbiotic doppleganging, however, is best embodied by the title track “Goofy June Bug”. Written by Baars, Vandermark turns it into one of his own as he spins characteristically repeated riffs that unfurl into rough-hewn solos, the Dutchman commenting in the background like a proud older brother.
-- Jeff Stockton allaboutjazz August 2008