by Scott Yanow
Carla Bley's tentet performs some of her most colorful themes on this often-humorous and generally stimulating set. &Jesus Maria and Other Spanish Strains& and the three-part &Musique Mecanique& are particularly memorable. This is the perfect setting for Bley's music, with such musicians as trumpeter Michael Mantler, Gary Windo on tenor and bass clarinet, trombonist Roswell Rudd and Bob Stewart on tuba making their presence felt.