Record Reviews

DAVE HOLLAND ~ UNCHARTED TERRITORIES DARE2 010 (Barcode: 634457860728) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is a brilliant 2CD album by legendary British Jazz bassist / composer Dave HollandFind albums by this artist released on his own Dare2Find albums on this label label. He invited another British veteran, saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist and two much younger American Jazz players, pianist Craig TabornFind albums by this artist and drummer Ches SmithFind albums by this artist to take part in a spontaneous two-day recording session, which resulted in six hours or recorded music, of which twenty-three tracks appearing here were selected. Only three of the tracks were composed, two by Smith and one by Holland, and the rest are spontaneously improvised pieces. As expected, the performances are all stellar, and contrary to the fears and reservations many people might hold against Free Jazz / Improvised Music, the result is completely audible and even likeable by most Jazz listeners, with just a bit of openness and slack / patience require to absorb this complex, but completely coherent music. Both the veterans and the “youngsters” display phenomenal improvising skills, mutual respect and telepathic communication with the other players, which is immediately apparent from the very first notes played. As usual in these circumstances, the four musicians create all possible variations of solo, duo, trio and quartet involvement, which change constantly, and create streams of musical passages, that sound very melodic, even if no solid melody is actually present. Overall, this is brilliant example of what Free Jazz / Improvised Music should sound like, which in reality happens extremely rarely. There is no one moment of cacophony or chaos on this album, in contrast to so many other albums in this genre, and as such it is truly exemplary and outstanding. Even if Improvising Music is not your cup of tea, do yourself a favor and try this one, which should be able to convince anybody of the true nature of the beast. Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 09/10/2022Posted: 09/10/2022

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CHES SMITH / THESE ARCHES ~ INTERNATIONAL HOOHAH FOR TUNE 0033 (Barcode: 5902768701326) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2014 This is a live recording of the American quintet These ArchesFind albums by this artist, led by drummer / composer Ches SmithFind albums by this artist and also including guitarist Mary HalvorsonFind albums by this artist, accordionist Andrea ParkinsFind albums by this artist and saxophonists Tim BerneFind albums by this artist and Tony MalabyFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded during the quintet´s performance at the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days Festival at the Soho Factory neighborhood. The album presents six original compositions, all by Smith. The leader is a familiar face on the contemporary American music scene, as a performer with a variety of different groups and environments, including Rock. The two female players are considered as some of the most interesting players on the scene since the turn of the Century with extensive recorded legacy and the two saxophonists have a well established reputation going way back. The combined talents of these musicians have a huge potential, but sadly it does not materialize here. The music is typical American modern Jazz with some tendencies towards Free and Avant-Garde, but mostly within the accepted boundaries of ambitious modernist mainstream. The compositions, although marginally interesting, are unimpressive and present no innovation or conceptual discovery. The performances are all highly professional, but seem to lack any enthusiasm or human emotion, even when the participants are interacting seemingly on a visceral plane. There is quite a lot happening on the stage, but if it is going anywhere remains an unresolved issue, at least in my case. By the time one gets to the last moments of this album there is a sadness and a deep feel if disappointment, as to what might have happened as opposed to what did happen. Regardless of how great these musicians are technically, the main issue after all remains if they have anything to say to the listener. In this case one would need to presume that perhaps they simply didn´t? Of course I suppose that many modern Jazz enthusiasts will find this album interesting enough, even if only as a result of the respect we all have for the musicians involved. But judged purely by its musical merits, however, this album is a poor statement.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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