November 2001

New & Noteworthy
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By Glenn Astarita

Witness by Dave Douglas (RCA/Bluebird)

Trumpeter/composer, Dave Douglas utilizes a ten-piece ensemble, including vocalist Tom Waits for an engaging series of works underscored by the artist’s dedication to activists, futurists and those willing to speak out in lieu of ordained government policies. The trumpeter skirts the avant-garde yet seldom forsakes melody and compositional form. Weaving strings, jagged themes and bustling rhythms are prominent throughout the majority of this outing, along with the leader’s resplendent soloing and forward thinking motivations. Thus, another chapter in Douglas’ already prolific recorded legacy.

L’affrontment des pretendantsby Louis Sclavis ( ECM Records)

French woodwind ace/composer Louis Sclavis and his sextet embrace a multitude of styles on this largely fascinating project, featuring blistering polyrhythmic developments, poignant interludes, and incisive interplay. Sclavis employs a traditional piano, bass and drums rhythm section yet reaps gigantic benefits from violinist, Dominique Pifarely trombonist, Yves Robert and keyboardist, Francois Raulin as the soloists’ exchange a flurry of peppery motifs, amid climactic overtures. Here, the band fuses austere Euro-jazz concepts with loosely structured thematic escapades and chamber-esque movements.

Time Immemorial by David Liebman with Walter Quintus ( ENJA Records)

Here, the famed saxophonist goes it alone for a set brimming with cleverly crafted EFX, melded with the artist’s stylized soloing and lyrically charged themes. Renowned audio engineer, Walter Quintus receives credit for his processes and manipulations on this interesting outing, whereas Liebman once again proves that he is a risk taker and not solely content to adhere by the straight and narrow.

The Ilya Tree by Paul Flaherty – Greg Kelley – John Voigt – Lawrence Cook (Boxholder Records - contact: Boxholdr@aol.com)

Greg Kelley (trumpet), Paul Flaherty (saxes), John Voigt (bass) and Lawrence Cook (bass) embark upon a highly emotive yet circuitous journey consisting of tense and sometimes strenuous exchanges amid dissonantly organized frameworks. Essentially, the quartet places many demands on the listener via a series of tersely stated passages that exhibit patterns of deconstruction and perpetual evolvement.

The Ayes Have It by Evan Parker – Paul Rogers – Jamie Muir (1983)/Evan Parker – Wolter Wierbos – Paul Rogers – Mark Sanders (1991) ( EMANEM)

The first four pieces (Aye 1 – Aye 4) are culled from a 1983 studio date featuring saxophonist, Evan Parker bassist, Paul Rogers and percussionist Jamie Muir. As the liners state, there was not enough material to fill an entire CD, yet these sessions in particular are quite interesting due to Muir’s rather unusual preference for percussion instruments. Needless to state, Muir is a source of interest thanks to his work with the late 60’s early 70’s “Music Improvisation Company” and subsequent involvement with the legendary British progressive rock band, King Crimson. Muir eventually dropped out of the music scene while becoming a Buddhist monk. Otherwise, the feisty and altogether cordial exchanges among Parker, Rogers and Muir should entice many aficionados of the British free-jazz scene. Meanwhile, the second part of the program consists of one thirty-six minute improvisational piece, again featuring Parker and Rogers, along with drummer Mark Sanders and trombonist Wolter Wierbos.

Haunted Hearts & Other Ballads by the Marc Copeland Trio ( hatOLOGY )

Marc Copeland commenced his musical career as an alto saxophonist who subsequently put his horn down in favor of the piano, yet the primary source of interest resides within the fact that he is a self taught pianist. A notion which seems improbable after listening to his latest release consisting of works by Sting, John Coltrane, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Mal Waldron and others. Copeland’s delicate touch and soul searching lyricism is prominently displayed on this delightful trio outing featuring bassist, Drew Gress and drummer, Jochen Rueckert. The pianist instills transcendent balladry via an introspective slant into these predominately well-known compositions, as every note, lightly executed chord and intricate maneuver might ordinarily indicate ownership of these pieces. Simply put, Copeland’s latest is a warmly beautiful affair.

Melange by Lonnie Plaxico ( Blue Note Records )

Perennial jazz session bassist, Lonnie Plaxico offers a funk, jazz-fusion brew with these bubbling pieces that might spark memories of 70’s, “Brecker Brothers” type fare. - The front line horn section of trumpeter, Lew Soloff saxophonist, Tim Ries and others provide more than enough excitement in concert with Plaxico’s pumping bass lines and drummer Lionel Cordew’s bouncy beats. The proceedings heat up towards the end as the band surges onward with the precision of a well-trained regiment as they pursue impossibly fast unison runs and well-coordinated rhythmic flurries. Overall, the musicians’ convey an upbeat, groove-laden demeanor, although Plaxico’s compositions tend to suffer from a certain sense of invariability.