CHICAGO JAZZ MAGAZINE
Review By: Paul Abella

Chris Graham Trio - After-Birth of Cool

Chris Graham – Vibes
Alex Austin – Bass
Oliver Hunt – Drums

The first time I heard Chris Graham, he was playing with the outstanding (and criminally unknown) saxophonist Scott Angst on a gig at The Store in Lincoln Park. Immediately, I heard a vibist who had absorbed my two favorite vibraphonists, Gary Burton and Bobby Hutcherson. At the end of the gig, he handed me a copy of this disc and asked me to take a listen to it. Man, was I glad I did.

After-Birth of Cool, besides having an odd-duck of a title, is an outstanding disc with three phenomenal players. Plenty of people in the know will know Alex Austin’s name from his time spent with plenty of great players, the biggest of whom would be Chicago’s very own Fareed Haque. Oliver Hunt’s name I’d never heard before (except for on the aforementioned gig), but he’s got a great touch and sense of rhythm, and some big ears.

So, starting with such outstanding players, it’s easy to see that this will be a great disc. And, trust me, it is.