"Tatsu Aoki has done a lot. The MIYUMI Project mastermind has composed jazz orchestral suites about the Asian immigrant experience in the US; performed and recorded with a host of legendary Chicago AACM musicians - Fred Anderson, Malachi Favors, Roscoe Mitchell on the short list; been commissioned by Yoko Ono to bless her SKYLANDING installation with music; worked for decades to help make the Asian American jazz and improv scene a Thing; made dozens of internationally acclaimed experimental films.
Now he's ready to let the Ass flow. Bass Dreams minus B (get it?) is a group helmed by Aoki on Asuka Bass (it's the Asuka bass because it's autographed by recently dethroned WWE champ Asuka), with Charles Rumback on drums, and the brain-boggling duo of Rami Atassi and Terry Tanaka on electric guitars, whose mission is to MELT YR FACE BRO till yr skull is plain white and there's a facepool on the ground, don't slip in the face.
Where did it come from? "Bass Dreams minus B was inspired by all my favorite bassists and wrestlers," Aoki, master of understatement, explains. Specifically: “My top five Dee Murray, Kenny Gradney, Tiran Porter, John Paul Jones, and Malachi Favors !!!!” It's the dream of the bass player - dial up the groove, lock it in, and then have two master shredders fill every pocket. Not just the hip pockets and the breast pockets - pockets you can't see - inside pockets, surprise back pockets, lapel pockets. Every gap spied and excavated for maximum satisfaction.
We’re talking jamz, with a z. I was on it being like a 70s private press thing, fusion with a psychedelic hand drawn cover and lots of ringwear, but Tatsu set me straight. I had to head down to the local vinyl hole (shout out to Val’s Halla!) and pick up Little Feat’s live album, Waiting for Columbus (Tatsu said it’s “notorious”). Now I get it. Steal yr freakin face man. Tatsu’s been chasing this flow for decades, a swirly dream come true, not a B to be found but the boogie in your butt.
--Matt Pakulski, FPE Records, 2021
This show is sponsored in part by Asian Improv Arts Midwest.
$15