Stumble is the second album by the AALY Trio + Ken Vandermark, which was recorded live at Chicago's Unity Temple in 1998 and released on Wobbly Rail, a short-lived imprint started by Merge Records/Superchunk principal Mac McCaughan. AALY Trio is a Swedish free jazz band led by saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. Originally just a guest, Vandermark became a full member of the group.
Reception
In her review for AllMusic, Joslyn Layne states "These numbers are firmly entrenched in blues roots, carrying on a wailing, at times plaintive, blues spirit with conviction."
The Penguin Guide to Jazz notes that "Vandermark and Gustafsson are formidably like-minded, at least in the way they want the band to make its impression, and the sound of the quartet in full flight has a harsh, narcotic edge to it."
The JazzTimes review by Bill Shoemaker states "While there is plenty of wide-open blowing space for the two saxophonists (Vandermark also plays a good amount of pungent clarinets), and the flexible, fluent Janson and Nordeson, there is an overarching ensemble cohesion that holds this album together."Shoemaker, Bill. Stumble review at JazzTimes
Track listing "Stumble" (Ken Vandermark) – 11:52 "Umeå" (Peter Janson) – 11:28 "Hommage à Lillen" (Mats Gustafsson / Kjell Nordeson) – 6:24 "Song For Che" (Charlie Haden) – 14:29 "Why I Don't Go Back" (Ken Vandermark) – 13:40
Personnel Mats Gustafsson - tenor sax, fluteophone, flute Peter Janson - bass Kjell Nordeson - drums Ken Vandermark - tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
References