''Caffeine'' is the eponymous debut album by the free improvisation trio consisting of Jim Baker on piano, Steve Hunt on percussion and Ken Vandermark on reeds. It was recorded in 1993 and released on

Okka Disk Okka Disk is an independent American jazz record company and label founded in Chicago by Bruno Johnson in 1994. Okka began as a rock music label, but Johnson soon changed direction to record free jazz.

. By the time of recording, Vandermark and Hunt were members of the

NRG Ensemble NRG Ensemble was an American free jazz ensemble founded in the late 1970s by saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Hal Russell.Margasak, PeterThe Undiminished Power of Hal Russell's NRG Ensemble''at Chicago Reader'' The group's personnel was somewhat f ...

.''Caffeine''
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Reception

In his review for AllMusic, Alain Drouot states that "the music is extremely dense, despite the fact that the session only involves a trio and the musicians avidly seek to fill all the spaces ... Despite its shortcomings, ''Caffeine'' manages to sustain the listener's interest due to, in particular, Hunt's and Baker's attention to details." '' The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' notes that "with Baker and Hunt, Vandermark is slightly too exposed." The '' Chicago Tribune'' review by Howard Reich states that "Baker's restless pianism, Vandermark's penetrating reed work and Hunt's meticulous percussion perpetually react to one another in unexpected, novel ways."Reich, Howard
''Caffeine'' review
at '' Chicago Tribune'' The ''

DownBeat ' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...

'' review by Bill Shoemaker states: "''Caffeine'' provides high-energy blow-outs followed by explorations of space and color. Baker's first recorded outing is appetite-whetting, as he skillfully skirts Taylor's long shadow."Shoemaker, Bill. ''Caffeine'' review. ''DownBeat'' September 95: page 46. Print.

Track listing

:''All compositions by Baker/Hunt/Vandermark'' # "Two Car Garage" – 16:14 # "Landscape on the Events Horizon" – 46:58 # "Beyond the Gum Wrapper" – 9:46

Personnel

*Jim Baker – piano *Steve Hunt – percussion * Ken Vandermark – reeds

References

{{Authority control 1994 albums Ken Vandermark albums Okka Disk albums