CD review: Survival Unit III – The Art of Flight: For Alvin Fielder 2022: Video, CD cover

This set finds the trio breaking new ground – Lonberg-Holm going sans electronics for the first time in Survival Unit III’s storied discography – while displaying the mastery of sonic shade and deft interplay that’s been their hallmark over the past sixteen plus years.

Beautifully recorded at the New Orleans Jazz Museum during the 2018 Instigation Festival, the night was fittingly historic: Survival Unit III performed the middle set of a three act bill featuring Ken Vandermark’s Marker (released as Roadwork 1 on Vandermark’s Audiographic imprint) and the final performance of McPhee (filling in last minute for an ill Kidd Jordan) with legendary drummer and beloved AACM elder Alvin Fielder to whom this album is dedicated. That set – with James Singleton on bass to round out the trio – will be released on LP in 2023 as the third title on Instigation Records.

With precious few recordings of Survival Unit III, every new release is a cause for celebration, and a perfect encapsulation of the spirit of the festival: honoring the history by crafting the future.

1. Part 1 13:37

2. Part 2 07:15

3. Part 3 10:46

4. Part 4 03:45

5. Part 5 04:23

Joe McPhee – tenor saxophone, pocket trumpet
Fred Lonberg-Holm – cello
Michael Zerang – percussion