MICHAEL DESSEN :: composer/improviser :: trombone/computer

"A trombonist with strong roots in the acoustic tradition and a fondness for cutting edge electronic experimentation, Michael Dessen straddles the line between the avant garde and the accessible better than most.... Dessen's diverse approach towards composition encapsulates a range of moods and textures.... Incorporating a range of dynamics that veer from pneumatic funk to pointillist discourse, Between Shadow and Space is a compelling set that reveals additional layers with each listen."
- All About Jazz, Troy Collins. Full review...

"On the title track... Dessen shows his skill at wringing a voluptuous and mournful tune from his trombone; he’s clearly capable of playing some fine music with the power out. But on five out of seven tracks, he doubles on computer, mostly using it to broaden his tonal and textural palette.... Records like this show how jazz can grow in the 21st century without losing its essential interactive and rhythmic characters."
- Dusted, Bill Meyer. Full review...

"Dessen's improvisations are unhurried but very exacting, seemingly behind the beat and teasing the tempo.... The introduction of electronics does attune one's ears differently... Tordini's introduction to “Anthesis,” with its plucked glisses and slippery finger-work, seems fleshed out by phantom digital blurts, Dessen's near-swagger hitting a puckered phrase that's altered, and Sorey's cymbal wash taking on the blur of samples. It's a quality of orchestration, but not by means one traditionally thinks about — altering one's way of hearing the instruments themselves, so that one almost pre-hears them. Suffice it to say Michael Dessen is doing a lot with a little."
- All About Jazz , Clifford Allen. Full review...

"The trombonist has a great sense of music, very lyrical and structurally complex while giving the appearance of lightness and openness.... The great thing about [Between Shadow and Space] is not only the unbelievable precision and skills of the three musicians, but also the interesting compositional power of all tracks.... An excellent [trio] debut: fresh, creative and open."
- Free Jazz blog, Stef Gijssels. Full review...

"Dessen, hailing from the West Coast, is a fine probing player as a leader, composer and conceptualist... While time can be spent lauding his technical facility or the group's heady interplay, more attention should be given to the pieces' underlying architecture. Dessen's liner notes give explicative heft to the music—the material draws its inspiration from sources artistic, poetic and musical—but they can be enjoyed as cerebral musings with more than a touch of heart, art for more than art's sake."
- All About Jazz, Andrey Henkin. Full review...

"Over the ten years Cosmologic has existed, they've learned not only how to play high level original contemporary improvised music, but have attained a unique style few stable or working groups have attained.... The fearless attitude that this group exhibits in taking chances, yet remaining quite listenable, is a rare thing. Another aspect of Cosmologic is that they can play to younger audiences in the midst of discovery, while also appealing to the 50s-and-older set that craves both the "new wave" of the ‘60s and an updated non-electronic sound. Bravo to Cosmologic for making no compromises, playing some truly fascinating upper echelon progressive jazz music."
- All Music Guide, Michael Nastos. Full review...

"In today's world of all-star studio sessions and endless collaborative side-projects, longstanding working bands are growing increasingly uncommon. Cosmologic is a splendid example of such a rarefied entity.... Eyes in the Back of My Head is a richly rewarding statement from a group whose time for greater exposure is long overdue. Accessible yet forward thinking, this is contemporary West Coast jazz at its most heartfelt and adventurous."
- All About Jazz, Troy Collins. Full review...

"While the group's strongest antecedents are in free jazz, the composerly emphasis gives it a distinctive character, the pieces often favoring punchy ensembles and contrasting them with unusual moods and textures, including extended techniques.... The band's handling of these compositions is anything but static, making use of turbulent collective improvisations and intensive free blowing in order to both explore and break through the primary moods. It's well-designed and well-executed music that opens in a variety of directions."
- Signal To Noise, Stuart Broomer.

"[Cosmologic's] perspicacity and ability to capture the unusual gives their music a rather exceptional focus.... Cosmologic does not let the written note be the guiding light. Their sense of juxtaposition dictates the course. Flow and chaos are consonants in constant flight that are navigated by surprise, and the band documents this consummately, making Eyes In The Back Of My Head a stirring listening experience."
- All About Jazz, Jerry D'Souza. Full review...

"The musicians mold a singular mindset, which is a component that radiates throughout this starkly inventive and superfine progressive-jazz statement. As a tight-knit and largely expressive unit, they come at you from all angles. It’s a highly-disciplined group, where they also specialize in loose-groove like expansions. Sparked by youthful vigor and a continual reengineering methodology, they fuse unorthodox time signatures with spirited soloing jaunts into the grand schema.... No doubt, this is a band for the new age of jazz. Their charismatic and rather impudent mode of delivery bears the mark of distinction. (Heartily recommended!)"
- JazzReview.com, Glenn Astarita. Full review...

"Clearly, time spent in a regularly working unit—rare these days—has served the writing and the playing of Cosmologic and its members very well."
- All About Jazz, Clifford Allen. Full review...

"In conclusione, uno di quei cento ottimi gruppi che dimonstrano quanto il jazz sia ancora lontano dall morte, e che bisognerebbe sentire piu spesso anche dal vivo invece di cascare continuamente sui 'soliti noti.'"
- MusicaJazz (Italy), Sessa.

"Lineal features trombonist Michael Dessen in an accessible session - accessible to readers who follow the mainstream as well as to those who prefer the leading edge.... Musically, Dessen gives the trombone a good workout, demonstrating its flexibility as well as its lyrical qualities. He communicates with a rich tone and fluent animation... Recommended, Lineal provides many surprises through a program with wide appeal."
- Cadence, Jim Santella.

"The eight tracks on Lineal are intricate affairs, packed with detail and referencing a wide range of traditions and developments in contemporary jazz. In fact, they're so packed with detail that listening to the whole album in one go is quite a challenge, but a highly enjoyable one."
- Paris Transatlantic, Dan Warburton. Full review...

"[Lineal is] some terrific music, mostly hard-hitting and groove-based but quite varied..."
- Exclaim, Nate Dorward. Full review...

"Just like the name of the album, Lineal, the musical outburst of ingenious creativity is straight, to the point, and not in any way watered down by dispensable shenanigans... The music is clean and almost maiden-like in its truth, while never being ensnared by common places or naïve imitation."
- Tokafi, Fred Wheeler. Full review...

"Het is daarmee gelijke een proeve van het bijzondere talent dat Dessen heeft als trombonespeler en componist."
- Jazzenzo, Mischa Andriessen. Full review...

"Die Tracks sind reich an Uberraschungen und Wendungen, Stimmungen und Atmosphare, fliessen schnell dahin und nach 8 Tracks sind 53 Minuten sehr schnell vergangen. Dank der begabten, technisch versierten Musiker und ihrer intuitiven Sensibilitat ist "Lineal" ein grandioses, heisses Stuck Musik geworden, das nur unbedingt empfohlen werden kann."
- Ragazzi, V.M. Full review...

"Un punto in piu a 'Lineal' per la teoria, per la pratica e per il suo mentore che tanto collima con i bollenti spiriti esplorativi, dentro lo strumento e fuori nel mare aperto della musica, di un precoce George Lewis in piena era AACM."
- Sands-Zine, Sergio Eletto. Full review...

"One of Dessen’s general musical strategies is a kind of composting-up of the composed and the improvised; the written statements here are mulched in with and through the spontaneous ones, and vice versa, to fine effect. You can always tell them apart, but your ears relish their mix as gardener’s hands do the feel of her soil."
- Mike Heffley (blog). Full review...

"The music of Cosmologic is initiated by individual members and then doggedly worked and reworked until its internal logics are available for genuinely creative improvisation.... More than impressive."
- The Wire, Brian Morton.

"III (by Cosmologic) doesn't so much stand as a document of the history of jazz as a brochure for the infinite varieties of modern improvisation.... Incredibly rewarding... Sure, it takes a little work but, for every cerebral exercise the listener is required to work through, there's a funky-as-all-hell payoff."
- One Final Note, Daniel Spicer. Full review...

"The third and newest album by this talent-rich San Diego quartet is a gem of crisp ensemble-playing and finely calibrated improvisations."
- San Diego Union Tribune, George Varga. Full review...

"Die Blaser tauchen schon mal in folkloristische Gewässer ein und probieren sich an einem rudimentären Hauch von Albert Ayler, um dann mit der elektrischen Gitarre (die im Laufe des Albums gar mal rocken kann, zumeist aber wie Fred Frith freakig und amelodisch gespielt, seltsame Laute von sich gibt) zu vitalen freien Passagen aufzubrechen, als wolle diese Horde die Welt retten oder ein humoristisches Theaterstück illuminieren. Die dritte Zusammenarbeit des Quartetts (plus Gast) ist unvergleichlich, von technischer Fingerfertigkeit und tiefer Inspiration, und ganz und gar emotional versunken. Unbedingte Empfehlung!"
- Ragazzi, V.M. Full review...

"Senza troppe pretese i Cosmologic con il loro carattere solare costruiscono un lavoro in cui il jazz è solo la base di partenza per incontrare forme ed esperienze molteplici. Vi consiglio di riservare un ascolto per la primavera che verrà, “III” potrebbe essere la colonna sonora ideale per trascorrere giornate spensierate al cospetto di sole tiepido e tonificante."
- Sands Zine, Sergio Eletto. Full review...

"Ook het kwartet Cosmo-logic uit San Diego maakt frisse, spannende mu-ziek. Ze combineren de beste elementen uit ge-componeerde jazz en vrije improvisatiemuziek toteen geheel eigen klank."
- Jazz Flits, Hermann te Loo. Full review...

"The wonders of [Between Shadow and Space] are thankfully translated to the live stage, with Dessen utilising laptop alterations, but customarily in a subtle manner, organically re-curving his output. This set relishes extreme contrasts between near-silence and dense activity, moving from meditation to mash-up, without any sense of inappropriate behaviour.."
- All About Jazz, Martin Longley, 11/08 [Clean Feed Festival, Living Theatre, NYC, 9/19/08]. Full review...

"...The most exhilarating band performance of the entire five days [of the Guelph Jazz Festival]... At times showing a deep fascination with Dave Holland's rhythmic structures and counterpoint improvisations, at times going far further outside, suspending harmony and rhythm entirely, Cosmologic covered a wide range, from intense grooves to raspy textures.... Cosmologic, it seems safe to predict, has wider attention awaiting it in the future."
- Musicworks Magazine, Johannes Volz, 4/06 [Guelph Jazz Festival 2005]. Full review...

"Cosmologic raised the bar for strength early in the festival."
- Exclaim!, Nilan Perera, 10/05 [Guelph Jazz Festival 2005].

"Totalmente lleno se registro el recinto para ver a los musicos, quienes actuaron bajo un ambiente tranquilo y placentero repleto de bohemia que contrasto con su jazz vanguardista lleno de energia..."
- El Mexicano, 2/07 [El Antigua Bodega de Papel, Tijuana, 1.20.07]. Full review...

"Zelden heb ik een ad-hoc formatie zo beheerst en geconcentreerd horen en zien spelen. Uit een schijnbaar minimaal gegeven werden suiteachtige muziekstukken gecreëerd. Prachtig opgebouwd met soloruimtes voor eenieder en - in de collectieven - een alert luisteren en reageren op elkaar."
- Jazz En Meer, Jacques Los, 4/07 [SJU Jazz Podium, Utrecht, 4.1.07]. Full review...

"Cosmologic made an impact with their hard hitting attack....Original compositions became the gateway for explosive interpretations that kept the pot boiling at intense heat throughout the set."
- Cadence, Frank Rubolino, 11/05 [Guelph Jazz Festival 2005].

"Intense peaks of clamorous excitement... Near-spiritual communication... The group dynamics of Cosmologic are in full effect, and the music is commanding. As a unit, these four musicians click."
- Cadence, Frank Rubolino

It’s a charge when a record immediately makes me say, "Oh yeah," and then maintains the level... Cosmologic embodies every value that hooked me on improvised music...."
- Los Angeles Weekly, Greg Burk

"With motivated and talented young musicians of this calibre, there's no doubt that jazz can be a creative force. Long gone are the days when things West Coast were considered pallid in relation to anything East Coast, and for any of the doubters out there, here's the proof positive."
- Coda, Marc Chenard

"Wildly spontaneous... Fascinating..."
- Los Angeles Times, Don Heckman

"Forget commercial labeling, this is real contemporary jazz."
- Jazz Weekly, Ken Waxman