This is the second album by drummer Barry Altschul’s 3dom
Factor, with Jon Irabagon on saxophones and flute and Joe Fonda on bass. The
basic approach on this album was for the group was to play freely, with no
preconceived notions as to where the music would take them. The album opens
with “As the Tale Begins” which is a
very long track that drifts from softer passages to louder coruscating blasts
of saxophone leading the trio into raw sections of deep improvisation. Altschul
has a nice drum solo before the music moves into an abstract section where he
adds soft bells and Irabagon adds subtle air against bowed bass creating music
that is unnervingly atmospheric. There is an open feel to “A Tale of Monk: Ask
Me Now” where the trio works in open space with a great sense of patience. Long
lines of saxophones develop in search of Thelonious Monk’s brevity and wit,
propelled by thick and elastic bass. Fonda’s muscular bass also powers “The
Tale Continues” in the company of light sounding saxophone and drums, which
develops very fast rolling sounds pushing the saxophone into deeply energetic
playing. Irabagon is in his element here gobbling the music up like ammunition
and then spitting it out like a machine gun over broad bass and immaculate drum
rhythm. “A Drummer´s Tale” is the leaders well earned solo performance, which
is epic and draws on all aspects of his technique. Sometimes it seems like
there are more then four limbs at work here from a nimble touch on the cymbals
to a pummeling approach to the drums, this natural aptitude for percussion is
inspiring thrilling. Jon Irabagon moves to flute for the beginning of the
concluding track “And the Tale Ends” supported by deft and pointed bass and
light brushing percussion. This sets up a light chamber jazz feel before the
band switches gears and Irabagon moves to saxophone and the music slowly moves
up in power to a stately and thoughtful conclusion. The musicians have to be
very tight and trusting of each other to make spontaneous improvisation like
this work. The energy and flow of the music comes naturally and shows they are
very comfortable and successful in this format. 
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