«Proof that the genius of Ken Vandermark knows no bounds -- a 12 CD box set of work that continues to delight throughout! The set documents the full 5 night stay of the Vandermark Five at the Alchemia nightclub in Cracow, Poland in 2004 -- a week that must certainly go down in the history of Polish jazz, if only for the quality of work on this set! We'll be honest in saying that we were initially very suspicious of the package -- because let's face it, 12 CDs of work from the same time by anyone might be a bit much. But we also had faith in the project as well -- because we've seen Vandermark live many times over the years, and know that his ability for continuously creative expression is far greater than most players -- not only those of his generation, but countless others than have inspired him from earlier years as well. There's a mode here that's free-thinking, yet tightly directed -- almost like Sonny Rollins at his most modern live modes, but inflected with an understanding of Albert Ayler, Roland Kirk, and Ornette Coleman -- as well as the even more important lesser-known reed expressionists from whom Vandermark has always drawn inspiration. The group's the always-solid Vandermark 5 -- with Kent Kessler on bass, Tim Daisy on drums, Jeb Bishop on trombone, and Dave Rempis on additional saxophones -- and the recording quality of the set is quite strong as well -- just enough "room" to recreate the live feel of the set, but nicely controlled recording of additional space and sounds to maintain the power of a studio CD. The package is limited and numbered -- and packaged in a really unique way! Each cover has a different image, too!»