Jim Baker More Questions Than Answers CD

This is the solo debut by Chicago pianist/synthesist Jim Baker, previously recorded in settings ranging from duets to Ken Vandermark's Territory Bands, and from third-stream projects (with Guillermo Gregorio) to rock groups (with Nicholas Tremulis). Havi

Personnel: Jim Baker (piano, synthesizer).
Audio Mixer: Todd A. Carter.
Recording information: Riverside Studio, Chicago, IL (05/18/2003-08/21/2004); Sparrow Sound Design, Chicago, IL (05/18/2003-08/21/2004).
Pianist Jim Baker has been heard with other Chicago avant-gardists in a variety of adventurous bands. This is his first set of unaccompanied solos and it consists of 13 totally free improvisations, ten on acoustic piano and three on synthesizer. Although one admires Baker's willingness to take chances, much of this music is rather dull. Baker's technique is excellent but many of the performances sound like introductions waiting for a theme to show up. The three synthesizer workouts are little more than sound explorations while the piano pieces start and end at random spots and seem a bit pointless. Rather than being waves of sound à la Cecil Taylor, or thoughtful meanderings like Paul Bley, Baker's improvisations never seem to go anywhere beyond setting a mood, with the titles being more colorful than the music. Although a worthy effort and not totally without interest, it is overall a bit of a disappointment. ~ Scott Yanow