When you first listen to this, the AEC’s first studio record in several years, and easily its most accessible of its lengthy career, it boggles the mind to why this quartet, now minus multi-saxophonist Joseph Jarman, have taken this path.

Yet, over more and more listenings to this record, it is clear that the complexity remains, what seems simple really is not, and the AEC still lives up to its roots of "Great Black Music: Ancient to Future." That the record is a little less cluttered to the general ear than earlier releases may signal the coming of age, the loss of Jarman or a host of other things.

Still, this is a beautifully played and arranged piece of work, showcasing the sounds of Roscoe Mitchell, Don Moye, Lester Bowie and Malachi Favors, both as solo instrumentalists and within their very deep group structure.

This is, as any AEC record, a workout for the listener. It’s not easy to confront, and not easy to find and pigeonhole, and I suspect that’s just how the Ensemble likes it.

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