"Penumbra" marks the return of the musician who played the spidery, sepulchral bass clarinet lines all over Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew." Mr. Maupin, who also plays saxophones and flute as well as some piano, has lived in California since 1972. He has a patient, concentrated, self-possessed sound, as if he has a lot of time, knows what he can do and isn't interested in blowing you away all at once. The new record, with a California band, is immensely satisfying: a sustained mood of laid-back wariness, at times close to chamber music, with lots of space in the music and grooves played subtly.
New York Times
5/6/06
