Sonny Simmons Trio - Live at Knitting Factory

Tom Sekowski, Gaz-Eta

"Live at the Knitting Factory" sees Sonny Simmons Trio recorded at the height of its prowess during the Vision Festival in 2001.
Alto demi-god Simmons blows some jaggedly pleasing lines, while his rhythm section - bassist Cameron Brown and percussionist Ronnie Burrage - provide sturdy backbone. The interaction between the players is other-worldly as each one predicts, almost ahead of time, what the course of action will be.
As in a never ending slithering snake, the alto goodness snakes its way up and down the listener's spine. Burrage is especially effective as a rhythm keeper and a loose innovator of sorts. An inclusion of "Pas Bon" [meaning "no good"] is rather an interesting take.
Simmons talks about police brutality and the importance of love in a very brutally honest way.
The set ends on another high note. As the caressing sounds of Simmons' alto revels up his band into submission on "New Groove Mode", you realize this is yet another highlight in his extended musical career.