The artists associated with Kansas City’s Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society are so prolific that I occasionally struggle to keep up with their output. Ben Goldberg, a Bay Area musician with similarly freewheeling improvisational inclinations, made the collective look like a bunch of slackers by releasing eight albums on August 8.
Each features a different lineup and stylistic approach. The sole constant is Goldberg’s distinctive clarinet, a sound bearing only cursory resemblances to the tones of Benny Goodman and Ken Peplowski. The releases range from mainstream(ish) swing to avant ambience.
Guitarist Will Bernard (Optical), saxophonist John Ellis (Spillway Four), pianist Myra Melford (Trouble Trouble) and percussionist Kenny Wollesen (Dog Hypnotic) are Goldberg’s most auspicious collaborators, but most of the musicians previously unfamiliar to me are no less impressive.
A proper explanation of Goldberg’s 8 x 8 initiative- he turned 66 on August 8- is available here. I like all eight albums, but a ranking of my preferences follows. Anyone with the audacity to question my judgement might begin with a generous sampler featuring two tracks from each of the admirable albums.
1. Ben Goldberg and Kenny Wollesen- Dog Hypnotic
2. Ben Goldberg- Spillway Four
3. Ben Goldberg- Optical
4. Ben Goldberg- Trouble Trouble
5. Ben Goldberg- For Bobby
6. Ben Goldberg with William Winant- Dreaming Upon Waking
7. Ben Goldberg- Just What You Thought You Wanted
8. Ben Goldberg- Rock Band
