The Engines

Tue., Dec. 11, 8 p.m., $12, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

by Shaun Brady

jazz

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Three-fourths of the Chicago-based improvising quartet the Engines — saxophonist Dave Rempis, trombonist Jeb Bishop and drummer Tim Daisy — are or have been members of the Vandermark 5, Ken Vandermark's long-running, hard-charging free-jazz quintet. And the fourth, bassist Nate McBride, is a member of several of the workaholic reedsman's other bands. There are some of V5's trademarks present on the Engines' self-titled debut, from the blustery unison horn lines to the relentless forward motion of many of Daisy's rhythms. But there's also a refreshing lack of Vandermark's metronomic precision and at times oppressive power-blowing. Especially when McBride switches to electric bass, the quartet can take on a wild rock vibe, before swerving into a hefty swing groove or breaking down into guttural growls and rasps. Without being pressured to be a steamroller at all times, these engines can guide the machine with surprising finesse, and the compositions, contributed by all four, embrace that freedom with abandon.

Tue., Dec. 11, 8 p.m., $12, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., arsnovaworkshop.com.