Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Joe Morris: Racket Club
Joe Morris: Racket Club
Joe Morris, today's premier free jazz guitarists, usually pursues a gushing cerebral style of free jazz. Occasional exceptions stand out: 1990's self-released Sweatshop, a free funk power trio record; and the just-released Racket Club, a free funk sextet recorded in 1993. The two records share much in common: keen respect for a funk groove, the emotional power of the blues, and the interesting results that can occur when you step "outside" the bounds of traditional harmony. Think early Blood Ulmer and you're getting pretty close.
What's particularly striking about Racket Club is the way Morris combines a very serious compositional approach with the West African polyphonic effect of a two-horn, two-drum, bass & guitar lineup. Lest you lose track, the screech of the horns occasionally places the group solidly in the post-Ayler zone, as far forward as it gets. But take a second to dig the groove, feel the pulse moving down your spine, and you might just end up shaking some serious booty.
Track Listing
Rumble Strip; Revolve; Wedoe; Cellular; Vapor; Pointyhead (Parts 1&2); Instinct; Slipshod.
Personnel
Joe Morris
bass, acousticJoe Morris: guitar; Jim Hobbs: alto sax; Steve Norton: baritone sax; Nate McBride: electric bass; Jerome Deupree: drums; Curt Newton: drums.
Album information
Title: Racket Club | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: About Time Records
About Joe Morris
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
