Simpatico

Simpatico, released in 1999, represents a pivotal moment for The Vandermark 5, marking the introduction of alto saxophonist Dave Rempis. This lineup change shifted the band's tonal palette, focusing the sound into a more streamlined but arguably more aggressive dual-reed front line. Recorded in 1998 for the Atavistic label, the album is a masterclass in the 'Chicago School' of jazz, blending the structural rigor of 20th-century composition with the explosive freedom of the AACM legacy. Vandermark's compositions on this record are notable for their 'bookending' technique: tightly choreographed, often funky head sections that dissolve into lengthy, searching improvisations. Critically, it is often cited as the point where the quintet truly found its collective voice, balancing Vandermark's diverse influences - ranging from Sun Ra to James Brown - into a cohesive, high-energy aesthetic that redefined modern avant-garde jazz for the turn of the millennium.