Home » Jazz Articles » Multiple Reviews » Eric Alexander: Mode for Mabes & Revival of the Fittest

458

Eric Alexander: Mode for Mabes & Revival of the Fittest

By

Sign in to view read count








Eric Alexander

Mode for Mabes

Delmark

2009


Eric Alexander

Revival of the Fittest

HighNote

2009


Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander and pianist Harold Mabern first shared a bandstand in public during Alexander's senior year at William Paterson College when Mabern (one of his teachers) invited him to sit in at a local New Jersey club. It was not to be the last time, either in person or in a studio session. These two CDs, recorded 12 years apart, capture the ever-deepening relationship between these two performers.

Mode for Mabes was recorded in Chicago in 1997 and features Alexander and Mabern along with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone), John Webber (bass) and George Fludas (drums), good ensemble playing complementing Alexander's big, attention-getting tenor. The CD is composed of mostly up-tempo tracks with a few ballads ("For Heaven's Sake" and "Stairway To The Stars") thrown in for a contrast, allowing Alexander to show his soulful side. The opening title track (an original co-composed by Alexander and Rotondi) and the Davis original "Erik The Red" are both rousers emphasizing the group's more explosive playing. Throughout, Mabern is an anchor with his tasty piano work, making it all sound soooo easy.

On the other hand, Revival of the Fittest, recorded in 2009 in New Jersey, is a much mellower offering, this time with a slightly smaller group—a quartet with bassist Nat Reeves and drummer {{Joe Farnsworth{{—and the interplay between Alexander and Mabern more apparent. As stated in the liner notes, however, Alexander always likes to include "one or two high energy tracks" so the opening title song (written by one of Alexander's heroes, saxophonist George Coleman) is immediately engaging. Mabern was on George Coleman's original recording of this tricky tune and according to Alexander, "Having Harold in there comping, he is really holding everything together." Also notable on this track is Farnsworth's electric handiwork. The rest of the album is an interesting mix of material, Mabern in fine form on his funky blues "Too Late To Fall Back Baby" and Alexander especially soulful on the slower songs.

Alexander and Mabern may have begun their relationship as student and mentor but these two albums show their evolution into colleagues who make great music together.

Tracks and Personnel



Mode for Mabes

Tracks: Mode For Mabes; Sugar Ray; For Heaven's Sake; Erik The Red; Love Thy Neighbor; Stay Straight; Stairway To The Stars; Naima.

Personnel: Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone; Jim Rotondi: trumpet; Steve Davis: trombone; Harold Mabern: piano; John Webbe: bass; George Fludas: drums.



Revival of the Fittest

Tracks: Revival Of The Fittest; My Grown-up Christmas List; The Island; Too Late To Fall Back Baby; Love-Wise; Blues For Phineas; You Must Believe In Spring; Yasashiku (Gently).

Personnel: Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone; Harold Mabern: piano; Nat Reeves: bass; Joe Farnsworth: drums.

Comments

Tags

Concerts


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.