Always on the lookout for new musical adventures, alto saxophonist Angelika Niescier is one of the most prominent voices on the European jazz scene. Her discography reveals close ties to the New York scene, where she has collaborated with musicians such as Tyshawn Sorey, Chris Tordini and Gerald Cleaver. More recently, she has turned her attention to the Midwest, specifically Chicago, and found a key partner in cellist Tomeka Reid, with whom she released the acclaimed album Beyond Dragons in 2023, together with Savannah Harris. With Chicago Tapes, Niescier expands this circle to include some of Chicago's most influential and exciting musicians. "Through such artistic exchanges, Niescier has built a fascinating career by continually forming new partnerships and nonchalantly adapting her own language to the needs of each new context, without ever compromising or dampening her voice. Chicago Tapes captures a new chapter in this journey, and judging by what we hear here, we can only hope that her connection to Chicago is just beginning," writes Peter Margasak in the liner notes.