May 2001

Bill Cole The Untempered Ensemble
Duets & Solos, vol. 1
Boxholder Records

By Aaron Steinberg

Duets and Solos Volume 1 catches Cole just after the Ensemble concert by himself and in duets with musical eclectic Cooper-Moore, bassist William Parker and drummer Warren Smith. The music is folky, spare and meditative-less obviously connected to the jazz tradition. Its nice having a chance to hear Cole do his thing in this very exposed setting, but it doesn't really compare to the rich aural experience of the Ensemble where Cole is at his best as a player and a leader.