"Some of the most exciting jazz albums to listen to are those that try to strike a middle ground between 'mainstream' and 'avant-garde'. One such example is this often-fascinating album, rich in compositional and improvisational prowess. Employing a sextet including drummer Joe Chambers and alto saxophonist Marion Brown, Shepp puts together a record that is both challenging and accessible to most listeners. "Fire Music"s masterpiece is undoubtedly Hambone. This multi-part composition's highlights are the opening theme, Ted Cursons complex trumpet musings and a bluesy section featuring a tough and funky solo by Brown. The tracks momentum is maintained with the thematically dense Los Olvidados which features another sterling contribution by Curson. Then there's a spoken word tribute to Malcolm X, featuring bassist David Izenzon and drummer J.C. Moses. Concluding the album is a bizarre version of The Girl from Ipanema. An album that belongs in any serious jazz collection." (Robert Gilbert, AllAboutJazz)
Zawinul is a superb album by Jazz composer and pianist Joe Zawinul, recorded in 1970. Conceptually and sonically, this is really the first Weather Report album in all but name, confirming that Joe Zawinul was the primary creative engine behind the group from the beginning. It is also the link between Weather Report and Miles Davis keyboard-laden experiments on "In A Silent Way" from 1969; indeed, the tune In A Silent Way is redone in the more complex form in which Zawinul envisioned it. The line-up on Zawinul includes Zawinul and the formidable Herbie Hancock on keyboards, putting the galactic sound effects of the Echoplex and ring modulator to good use. The third founder of Weather Report, Miroslav Vitous, checks in on bass. Hardbopping trumpeter Woody Shaw proves to be perfectly adept at the jazz-rock game. Also Jack DeJohnette features on melodica and percussion, as does Hubert Laws on flute and Wayne Shorter on soprano sax. (bron: Bertus / MOV)
Eén der meest betreurenswaardige gebeurtenissen in de jazz in 2007 was het heengaan van Andrew Hill, eigenzinnig pianist, wiens spel even bonkig als poetisch kon zijn en die altijd prachtige groepen om zich heen verzamelde die de ruimte kregen uit te blinken in hoogst originele arrangementen. "Point Of Departure" is z'n bekendste plaat, vlak voor z'n dood (die hij aan voelde komen) maakte hij het indrukwekkende "Time Lines". "Compulsion!!!!!" (één van z'n vele platen met uitroeptekens in de titel) is wellicht een van z'n meest eigenzinnige. Met tenorist John Gilmore, vooral bekend om z'n werk met Sun Ra, heeft hij een lekker tegendraadse muzikant in z'n band, die echter behoorlijk in toom wordt gehouden. Mede door de Afrikaanse percussie van Nadi Qamar en Renaud Simmons blijft het resultaat behoorlijk toegankelijk en groovend. En Freddie Hubbard (trompet, bugel) zorgt voor weldadige warmte tussen de soms hoekige paden die Hills piano kiest. Geremasterd door de man die 't indertijd zelf opnam: Rudy van Gelder.
"Cut with the Harold Land Quintet in 1969, Hutcherson augments the lineup with vocalist the Right Reverend Eugene McDaniels and a chorus at the height of Black Power consciousness. The interplay between Hutcherson and Stanley Cowell's 's piano in the instrumental passages in "Slow Change" is so intuitive and symbiotic it may slip by the listener who is not paying attention. The title cut is a short lullaby written by Hutcherson and McDaniels, tender, simple and haunting as Land's saxophone winds through the shouts of female voices with restraint and elegance. The utter creative vision of Herbie Lewis' "The Creators" showcases the band at the height of its powers with Cowell holding the piano chair with killer Latin rhythms, psychedelic electric guitar and a provocative engagement between Land, Hutcherson and the chorus. A hard bop piece with a striated and knotty vocal intro and finish, it is a fitting and exciting final track." (AllMusic)
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