First ECM disc by Motian's popular guitars-and-saxes group, previously known as the Electric Bebop Band. Terrific repertoire includes two Charles Mingus tunes: his famous tribute to Lester Young "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", and "Pithecanthropus Erectus", a cinematic account of the rise and fall of man (played very 'noir' by the Motian group). Charlie Parker's "Cheryl", one of the pieces that first defined bebop for the world. Jerome Kern's "Bill", from 'Show Boat' (offered here as a tribute to Bill Frisell), Thelonious Monk's classic "Evidence" which Motian played with its composer back in the 1950s. Plus seven great Motian originals, both old and new, and one piece from band saxophonist Chris Cheek. The second exciting chapter in Paul Motian's return to ECM is his first album for the label to feature his "personal orchestra". Launched in the early 90s as the Electric Bebop Band, it initially set out to "destroy bebop" (Motian's words) at a time when the mood of jazz was resolutely retro. Things didn't work out that way: Motian fell in love with the music all over again, the nature of the instrumentation completely changed the form's dynamics, and he moved through bebop with the group, using it as a vehicle for his own compositions. Bebop and standards are part of the palette - but jazz history is no longer the subject of the music. Its wider programme merited a name change, so henceforth it's simply the Paul Motian Band. Its music is swirling, kaleidoscopic, a riot of sound-colour and blossoming melody. Recordd 2004 Personnel: Paul Motian - (drums), Chris Cheek - (tenor and alto saxophone), Tony Malaby - (tenor saxophone), Jakob Bro, Ben Monder, Steve Cardenas - (guitar), Jerome Harris - (bass)