Brad Wheeler Future Was Yesterday CD

After a powerful drum solo opens, The Future Was Yesterday, the debut album for Chicago/Paris sax player Brad Wheeler, the sax kicks in and one immediately is taken by the sound of a developed John Coltrane. As the album progresses, Wheeler takes more of his own direction and relies less on sheer emulation of the 'Trane. However, he keeps a very tight grasp on where the songs should lead and how they progress. As he goes through his solos, one comes to the understanding that the notes have to be where he puts them; they simply can't go elsewhere. While he caresses the overall sound, his tone is powerful, almost screeching at times. He occasionally has to beat a chord progression into submission to make it fit the sound he desires. The compositions are well-crafted, and the playing suits them quite well. There are, perhaps, not many that stand out as singular highlights, as the album is designed to form a coherent whole and the players combine to make the most of it. Definitely worth a listen or two. ~ Adam Greenberg

In the tradition of Rollins, Shorter, Coltrane and Liebman, Chicago saxophonist Brad Wheeler's deep improvisations and lyrical compositions set the tone for his first recording on Origin. After 10 years spent in Paris where he appeared with Johnnie Griff

Liner Note Author: Laurence Hobgood.

Recording information: HINGE, Chicago, IL (08/08/2002/08/09/2002).

Personnel: Brad Wheeler (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Brad Wheeler; John Moulder (guitar, guitars); Rob Amster (double bass); Frank Parker , Frank Parker (drums); Laurence Hobgood (piano).

Audio Mixers: Brad Wheeler; Laurence Hobgood; Steve Johnson .

JazzTimes (p.98) - "Wheeler improvises in an imaginative postbop style, while Moulder contributes solos that range from attractive, Iberian-sounding acoustic work to passionate, distorted electric sounds."