Fred Anderson - Chicago Chamber Music

Fred’s finally got a folio worthy of his talents, but this is one that’s largely eluded critical plaudits. Surprises me because I think it’s one of his best. Two generously-packed discs recorded in the warm acoustics of Bradley Parker-Sparrow’s Chicago studio. First one’s a trio with right hand man Tatsu Aoki on bass and Windy City regular Afifi Phillard on trap set. Fred deals liberally in his singular blues curlicues and the cuts are mostly long, just like a typical Velvet Lounge set. “Indiana” a reference the South Side Street that the Lounge calls home, is a highlight. Disc Two dispenses with drummer and shifts focus to the empathic improvisational interplay between Aoki and Fred. Sparrow’s piano sits in on two tracks, but he’s largely a distraction. “Sand” is the stand-out here, a contemplative tone poem that cunningly contradicts the strictures of its six minute duration. These days there’s plenty of Fred to choose from, but this Southport set has both muscle and moxie that separates it from the pack.