In the jazz world, it’s not unusual for players of a certain caliber and renown to assemble for supersessions. Minus the hype it would bring in the rock and pop worlds, these kinds of sessions can often be relaxed affairs featuring old and new friends, united by love of the music and mutual respect. Sometimes the results come out under a new band name, sometimes they’re split into records headlined by various participants, or sometimes they simply slap a name like “All Stars” on the cover and call it. Regardless, these records often contain strong music, made for no other reason than pure enjoyment, on the part of both players and listeners…Though assembled from veterans of Chicago’s thriving jazz and soul scenes, the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective has a much more focused mission than the Jazz All Stars. The band’s third album On the Way to Be Free states it most plainly in the title track. “I want my freedom!” asserts guest vocalist and AACM trouper Dee Alexander, and the rest of the record makes sure she gets it. On a set of songs mostly penned by bandleader/saxophonist John Fournier, the group uses the tools of soul jazz – warm keyboards, rhythms alternately swinging and funky, blues changes – to seek freedom and peace, optimistically assuming the two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Sometimes it’s through the act of something as simple as sailing, as on the title track, or sometimes it’s in the arms of true love, as on the plush “Carry Me.” The group looks even further outside themselves on the mysterious, defiant “The Man is Coming Back,” but also digs deep inside on the cautiously celebratory “So Alive.” Powered by Alexander’s gracious singing, the songs stand up for themselves and for all of us, wrapping themselves in the CSJC’s shimmering sonic wave. It’s a very different vibe from the looser and more casual Jazz All Star sessions, but no less appealing for that.