Stumble is the second album by the AALY Trio + Ken Vandermark, which was recorded live at Chicago's Unity Temple in 1998 and released on Wobbly Rail, a short-lived imprint started by Merge Records/Superchunk principal Mac McCaughan. AALY Trio is a Swedish free jazz band led by saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. Originally just a guest, Vandermark became a full member of the group.

Stumble
Live album by AALY Trio + Ken Vandermark
Released	1998
Recorded	January 17, 1998
Venue	Unity Temple, Oak Park, Illinois
Genre	Jazz
Length	57:56
Label	Wobbly Rail
Ken Vandermark chronology
Target or Flag (1998) Stumble (1998) Deep Telling (1999)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[2]

In her review for AllMusic, Joslyn Layne states "These numbers are firmly entrenched in blues roots, carrying on a wailing, at times plaintive, blues spirit with conviction."[1]

The Penguin Guide to Jazz notes that "Vandermark and Gustafsson are formidably like-minded, at least in the way they want the band to make its impression, and the sound of the quartet in full flight has a harsh, narcotic edge to it."[2]

The JazzTimes review by Bill Shoemaker states "While there is plenty of wide-open blowing space for the two saxophonists (Vandermark also plays a good amount of pungent clarinets), and the flexible, fluent Janson and Nordeson, there is an overarching ensemble cohesion that holds this album together."[3]

Track listing

1. "Stumble" (Ken Vandermark) – 11:52
2. "Umeå" (Peter Janson) – 11:28
3. "Hommage à Lillen" (Mats Gustafsson / Kjell Nordeson) – 6:24
4. "Song For Che" (Charlie Haden) – 14:29
5. "Why I Don't Go Back" (Ken Vandermark) – 13:40

Personnel

• Mats Gustafsson - tenor sax, fluteophone, flute
• Peter Janson - bass
• Kjell Nordeson - drums
• Ken Vandermark - tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet

References