blink. is a Chicago-based musical collective steeped in jazz, rock, electronica, and free improvisation featuring bassist Jeff Greene, drummer Quin Kirchner, guitarist Dave Miller, and saxophonist Greg Ward. Individually, their compositions have been commissioned and performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble, the Peoria Ballet Company, and have received awards from the Illinois Arts Council. Their debut, The Epidemic of Ideas (2008), emphasized improvisation and was the result of countless hours of rehearsals, performances, and studio time. Their sophomore album, The Architects, comes from a very different place. As the title suggests, it’s an intricately constructed statement and the product of extensive composing and rehearsing. It features a narrative arc punctuated by numerous recurring themes which include melodies and chord progressions that unfold over the course of the entire album. Longtime fans of blink. will be pleased to discover that Jeff Greene’s new compositions leave room for and are balanced by the group’s supreme improvisational skills.