Days Aweigh

by Scott Yanow The formative years of singer Cassandra Wilson's career found her associated with the M-Base Collective school of eccentric funk. On this set of advanced originals (which also has versions of "Let's Face the Music" and "Some Other Time"), Wilson is the lead voice in dense ensembles that include (on various cuts) cornetist Olu Dara, guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly, trumpeter Graham Haynes, and altoist Steve Coleman, along with a very active rhythm section. "Some Other Time" is a change of pace, a duet with pianist Rod Williams, but otherwise this is advanced free funk dance music.