Fire of Space is a New York improv band founded by trumpeter and composer Jordan McLean, with four horns and a rhythm section of keys, bass, drums and percussion. This band blends african percussion, with a little Indian classical and dance music, to create a vibrant, huge and generous sound.

McLean and company build off the tribal as well as off of Sun Ra, its manic improvs anchored always by African rhythms that may as well be ancient. ?Rampi Rampi? and Valleys of Jade? are hypnotic and wild, but always deliberate, reminders that the free spirit is hardly unfocused.

?Prayers to the Elders? and ?Quiet (as the Birds of Fewa)? could be variations on old Mahavishnu outtakes, in the mixture of chops and spirit. Stuart Bogie?s clarinet work, and Aaron Johnson?s trombone especially stand out for adding gripping colors to the melodies, with McLean anchoring the vision all the way through. 9/10 -- Mike Wood (27 December, 2006)