Mace Hibbard: Time Gone By (2011)

Edward Blanco

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2005

Ed has been a jazz fan for 35 years and hosts a jazz radio program at WDNA 88.9 FM.

Recent articles (380 total)

Published: August 5, 2011

Performing a selection of thoroughly modern jazz, inspired and influenced by the music of Julian "Cannonball" Adderley Julian "Cannonball" Adderley
1928 - 1975
saxophone , Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet and Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis
b.1960
saxophone , Atlanta-based saxophonist/composer Mace Hibbard delivers the creative and highly entertaining Time Gone By, his second album as leader and the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed debut, When Last We Met (CDBY, 2007).

A busy sideman—in 2011 alone, appearing on albums by Joe Gransden's Big Band, trumpeter Melvin Jones Melvin Jones
b.1979
trumpet (also a member of Hibbard's quintet) and keyboardist Bryant Thompson—Hibbard opens the set with the hard-driving hard bop burner "Rude on Purpose," featuring a two-horn attack where Jones joining the saxophonist on a strong opening statement before proceeding to an exchange of salvos throughout the piece. "December 18th" and "Remembrance of Things Past" are the disc's soft ballads, highlighting the very able rhythm section of pianist Louis Heriveaux Louis Heriveaux

piano bassist Marc Miller and drummer Justin Varnes Justin Varnes

The music turns hot and heavy on the decisive "Indecision," where the band plays another hard number reminiscent of pianist McCoy Tyner McCoy Tyner
b.1938
piano 's songbook. Johnny Christopher's oft-recorded standard, "Always on My Mind," reveals a soft and elegant flair, capturing Hibbard's best solo of the album. "The Rain King" thunders through like a freight train travelling at high speed, with both Hibbard and Jones blowing enough to ensure this train is powered by steam not electricity.

Hibbard takes over the title tune, laying down gorgeous aggressive tenor phrases on one of the set's better tracks. "La Danza Olvidada" charges out of the gate, carrying a sizzling Latin tinge and providing Varnes a bit of percussive space, while Hibbard scorches it with his high-octane performance. Though it has been four years since Hibbard's last recording as leader, Time Gone By marks another exceptional album from this talented, Grammy Award-winning reed player who delivers like a master. Let's hope his next project as leader does not take as long.

Track Listing: Rude on Purpose; December 18th; Indecision; Hallowed Ground; Always on My Mind; Theme for Dos Lyn; Rememberance of Things Past; Slip and Slide; The Rain King; Time Gone By; La Danza Olvidada; For The Memories We Share.

Personnel: Mace Hibbard: saxophones; Melvin Jones: trumpet; Louis Heriveaux: piano; Marc Miller: bass; Justin Varnes: drums.

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream