opis
This second album is a great step forward for the sextet. If the first, “Qattara,” clearly established its direction, with a focus on African and world-music instruments, themes, melodies, and rhythms, while also referring to such soul mates as the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Sun Ra, and Andrew Cyrille, this sophomore release only needs a few relaxed cues and some knowing head-nodding. The constant, consistently lively, conscious handling of predecessors and their material allows “Loops, Holes, and Angels” to harvest the most beautiful fruit. Despite their clearly marked connections to roots, to the past, the Co Streiff Sextet’s playing is always quite modern and up-to-date. The music is deeply original, charismatically contemporary, completely in the here and now. It is clear intuition, it is conscious moods, and it is the knowledge that originates from movement. • Marcus Maida, from the liner notes