Composer: Matana Roberts.

Personnel: Matana Roberts (saxophone); Jeff Parker (guitar); Fred Anderson (saxophone); Josh Abrams (bass guitar); Frank Rosaly (drums).

Audio Mixers: Vijay Iyer; Scotty Hard.

An impressive player on both clarinet and saxophone, Matana Roberts is also a talented and noteworthy composer. A native of Chicago steeped in the city's rich tradition of experimental and modern creative jazz, Roberts created THE CHICAGO PROJECT in homage to her home town and influences. Featured is a cast of the city's excellent musicians (including members of Tortoise, Ken Vandermark's group, and saxophone legend Fred Anderson) on nine of Roberts's own tunes, each of which balances various strains of jazz history with skilled improvisation, precise group interplay, and sonic adventurousness.

Uncut (p.101) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[E]ven the seriously jazz averse among you should warm to the fluidity and short, spry phrasings of Roberts' style."

Down Beat (p.78) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "This is an honest statement from a saxophonist aware of the possibilities available to her..."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.113) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his soulful, wordless homage to the Windy City showcases her fiery yet fluid tone."