"With his extensive artistic biography, Michael Formanek is one of the most outstanding figures in American jazz - As a composer, as a bassist in ensembles, and as a soloist. Although the bass often plays in the background, bassists write jazz history. So does Michael Formanek, who makes an impressive solo statement with Imperfect Measures (24 years after his first solo album).

About the creative process, Formanek writes: "I came to realize that for me, playing solo bass is much closer to a compositional process than a performance practice ... Any structure inherent in a piece evolves in the moment, the product of the improvisation itself - as if one were building and traveling along a road simultaneously. The road only extends as far as we are in the moment, so there must be a total commitment to what is being created and constructed in real time, lest things quickly fall apart."

The inspiring music is embedded in works by artist and illustrator Warren Linn, who created sketches during the recording process, developed them into collages/paintings, some of which are now featured in the album package designed by Stephen Byram. An absolute work of art!"-Intakt

"Michael Formanek is a a peerless genius of the rhythm, whose incredible technique and sublime ears made him one of the most respected bass players in the avant-garde jazz scene. Although he has played in all group formats, Imperfect Measures is just his second solo effort, succeeding to (Screwgun, 1999).

Having structured this work cannily, the bassist enjoys all the freedom he wants, allowing the natural flow of his musical expression to move from track to track with inner logic. The artist/illustrator Warren Linn joined him in the recording session, creating sketches that evolved into collages/paintings that are partly featured in the CD package.

"Quickdraw" initiates this sonic journey with Formanek roaming through a fast, muscular pizzicato imbued with a thrilling melodic sense; this number is followed by "On the Skin", which, easing up the pace, adds a dark and bluesy poignancy to the melody. The bassist completes the scenario with occasional intervals that help us situate within the harmonic context.

The excellent bowing skills brought to light on "A Maze" echo a sort of chant that becomes more ritualistic as it moves forward. Another conspicuous arco statement occurs in "Airborne", where Formanek shows off a wide range of action and probes a multiphonic approach that intensifies the enigmatic nature of the moment.

Percussive and reverberating, "Full Frontal" is projected with crisp attacks and sonorous timbre, with some parts of the rhythm denoting rock influences that go perfectly well with the Eastern and folk impressions in the melody. Eastern undertones are also detected with plenty of chromatic wriggling on "Notice Moments", a rhythmically interesting lament expressed with an instinctive sense of groove.

Formanek finishes off the album with "The Stand", where a palpable riff becomes the object at the center, around which everything else revolves.

In its essence, it's beside the point whether the inspiration comes from dance-rock or groove-centered jazz. Some dedication from the listeners will unlock any initial resistance involved in a solo bass storytelling of this nature. And the rewards will come."-Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail