Dave Bryant: The Eternal Hang

Robert Spencer

CD/DVD Reviewer since 1997

Recent articles (267 total)

Published: December 1, 1999

George Garzone? George Garzone ? Ladies and gentleman, I have reviewed a good number of discs featuring this ubiquitous reedman lately, and virtually every one of them contained impeccably-played hard bop. Letter perfect, engaging, expertly done. When this disc arrived featuring Garzone with Ornetteian keyboardist Dave Bryant, I thought it might herald a slight departure, as Bryant anchored Ornette's funky latter-day Prime Time ensembles. But friends, I wasn't prepared for this.

George Garzone? The opening track, "Kidnapped," sounds more like Albert Ayler or John Tchicai or Charles Gayle, over a furiously played but admittedly Ornetteian theme. Eventually the disc settles into more or less more boppish territory, although Bryant's keyboards keep spinning and tweaking it outward. Oh, my heart! Those who know and love the sure-handed ministrations of Garzone should not miss this incredible display.

For fans of more mainstream Garz, there are tracks like "Little Black Dress." Meanwhile Bryant shows himself to be just as versatile - and he's an intriguing and capable composer.

Great, innovative, astounding music.

Personnel:

Dave Bryant, kybds; George Garzone, ts; John Turner, b; Bob Gullotti, d.

Track listing: Kidnapped / Kiss Noise / Little Black Dress / Split Decision / Interlude I / Detour / Interlude II / The Eternal Hang / Nothing to Know.

Record Label: Accurate Records
Style: Modern Jazz