Certainly Stein is required to deal with the music of Eric Dolphy on this solo bass clarinet recording. Since Dolphy's passing at the young age of 36 in 1964, there has been much advancement in the possibilities of the odd shaped bass clarinet, a mainstay of symphony orchestras and wind ensembles.
Dolphy's penchant for extended technique is not lost on Stein. While many of today's musicians utilize the bass clarinet for its bottom-end sound, Stein plays the upper register with a warmth and zeal one might find in Evan Parker's soprano saxophone work.
This is a laboratory of an album, experimenting with extended technique, sound and structure. Like the revelations heard in the solo trumpet work of Peter Evans, Stein brings new ideas and sounds to his chosen instrument. Quiet puffs meet metallic overblown notes in Stein's labor. He varies approach on each of the 11 tracks, painting different pictures of his sound world. Pops and clicks signal changes, while clear notes are reminiscent of the warm, smooth nature of this instrument.
Fans of solo recordings and meditative music will find much to contemplate here.
-Mark Corroto, All About Jazz December 2009
