Lake, Tchicai, Osgood, Westergaard

by Scott Yanow Recorded shortly after this quartet toured Denmark in 2003, the music on this co-op set is often reminiscent of early Ornette Coleman, Archie Shepp and other free jazz masters of the early-to-mid 1960s. Oliver Lake displays a beautiful tone on alto, tenor-saxophonist John Tchicai's comes up with some strong statements of his own while blending in well with Lake, and the team of bassist Jonas Westergaard and drummer Kresten Osgood is worthy of Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins, doing full justice to the latter in the tribute "Smiling Billy Higgins." There are many intense moments and, while the brief poetry reading (in German?) wastes space, the musicians are heard throughout in top form, matching their passion with lyricism. Recommended.