Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Joe Chambers: Horace to Max

264

Joe Chambers: Horace to Max

By

Sign in to view read count
Joe Chambers: Horace to Max
Drummer/vibraphonist/composer/educator Joe Chambers' Horace to Max is an awesome display of versatility and master musicianship; that's impossible to put away, it gets better with each listen. The distinctive blue-and-black colored cover design is similar to those fine Blue Note records of the 1960s and 1970s. The disc possesses a subtle suggestive theme that can only be described as plain old protest music, showing that times have not really changed; despite being written decades ago, the music's lyrics, meaning and intended audience remain relevant. This is a proactive, uplifting album of contemporary music par excellence that moves along at a tightly arranged and cohesive pace, giving cause to pause and think about the shape of the world.

Chambers' selection of musicians is a big plus, with some of the best, most seasoned players on the scene, including tenor saxophone sensation Eric Alexander and the superb/in-demand pianist Xavier Davis. Sturdy bassist Dwayne Bruno and veteran, in-the-pocket percussionist Steve Berrios round out a dream band, producing a memorable, exciting and lovely musical voyage that includes elements of African and Latin music amidst waltzes, swinging selections and ballads. Two earthy tunes feature singer Nicole Guiland, whose excellent work on Max Roach's highly political "Mendacity" (originally recorded by Abbey Lincoln) is pure magic. She also sounds heavenly on Lincoln's "Lonesome Lover," also featuring pianist Helen Sung.

An all-star treatment of trumpeter Kenny Dorham's rarely recorded "Asiatic Raes" opens the disc, with Chambers' drums underneath a colorful, calypso-like intro that ultimately yields to seriously hip solos from Alexander, Davis and Chambers, whose subtle, smooth drumming leads this swinging affair. Roach's "The Man From South Africa" is the album's best track, a mesmerizing piece that travels to Africa, and is the perfect vehicle for Alexander to dig deep into his bag for a John Coltrane/George Coleman-like vibe and the happy, sunny sound the cut needs; the album released in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the end of Nelson Mandela's 27-year incarceration. "The Man From South Africa" is as current as it gets—clear proof that music is, indeed, timeless.

Horace to Max is more than an extension of Chambers' first Savant release, 2006's The Outlaw, which featured the music of Horace Silver. Horace to Max is much more message-driven, more mindful of the difference music can make in peoples' lives, and evidence of how good music can, at the very least, lead to meaningful discussion about global problems. Horace to Max also proves that the Carolina jazz connection is alive and well; Chambers currently resides in the birthplace of Trane, Roach, Thelonious Monk and Nina Simone as a distinguished professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Some say it's the North Carolina water that has helped produce this fruitful, spiritual group of prominent jazz musicians. There is, indeed, a great deal to drink in, because North Carolina has a deep, immensely creative and very rich wellspring.

Track Listing

Asiatic Raes; Ecaroh; Man from South Africa; Mendacity; Portia; Water Babies; Lonesome Lover; Evidence; Afreeka.

Personnel

Joe Chambers: drums (1, 3, 4, 6-8), vibraphone (2-7, 9); marimba (5, 6, 9); Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone (1-6, 8, 9); Xavier Davis: piano (1-6, 8); Dwayne Burno: bass (1-6, 8, 9); Steve Berrios: conga drums (1, 9), drums (2, 5), percussion (3, 6, 8); Nicole Guiland: vocal (4, 7); Helen Sung: piano (7); Richie Goode: bass (7).

Album information

Title: Horace to Max | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Savant Records

Comments

Tags


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.

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.