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Chicagoan sax player Matana Roberts stepped into the premier jazz league with her "Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens De Couleur Libres"(2011) and confirmed the success with second chapter in 2013. "Live in London",released already on the wave of her glory in 2011 contains material,recorded in 2009 so it's a great chance to hear "what was before..."
Recording of great sound quality comes from one night gig in legendary London's The Vortex, Matana plays in a company of really skilled British trio,drummer Chris Vatalaro, double bassist Tom Mason and pianist Robert Mitchell. Just six compositions with opener Chad Jones' "My Sistr" lasting over 26 minutes. The only other non-original is Duke Ellington's "Oska T".
From very first seconds Matana's sax dominates and it will guide the listener all night long. British trio is all great accompanists,especially pianist Robert Mitchell (it would be interesting to hear more his soloing here). But Matana plays with her soul and spirit - her sax sounds very Coltranesque, and she naturally steals the show.Very soft, blues-rooted and soulful sax sound at the same time is all the time combined with emotive explosions,reminding Ayler's music. Matana plays quite free anchored with more post-boppish trio. All concert by its atmosphere sounds as it's coming from mid'60s.
On her upcoming "Coin Coin..." series Mantana will find her unique voice mixing gospel,blues,free jazz,theater and poetry, here on "Live In London" one can ensure how great improvisational jazz musician she is.