NEIL TESSER
Each important members of Chicago's jazz scene for two decades, guitarist McLean and bassist Sommers further solidified their musical rapport through touring and recording with vocalist Kurt Elling over the last several years. The seeds of "Parts Unknown" were planted after a Chicago performance of the duo with the dynamic New York vibist Joe Locke. Enlisting Chicago drummer Xavier Breaker, the group ended up recording this set of original, slippery, joyous and eclectic modern jazz gems.
"...Clark Sommers plays with a rock-bottom, infectious groove...securely steeped in the jazz tradition." - JAZZ.COM
1 Blondie Roundabout 8:23 (Joe Locke)
2 Labor Day 5:31 (John McLean)
3 Time Window 8:43 (Clark Sommers)
4 Parts Unknown 5:30 (John McLean)
5 Safe and Sound (At the Edge of the Milky Way) 6:18 (Joe Locke)
6 All Alone 7:35 (Mal Waldron , arr. Clark Sommers)
7 Farther From That 6:35 (Clark Sommers)
8 Last Call 5:49 (John McLean
John McLean: guitar
Clark Sommers: bass
Joe Locke: vibraphone
Xavier Breaker: drums
Produced by John McLean & Clark Sommers
Recorded & mixed by Vijay Tellis Nayak
at Transient Studios, Chicago, IL
Mastered by Brian Schwab, Chicago, IL
Cover photo courtesy Focus Images
Band photograph by Chad McCullough
Cover design by John Bishop
