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Fred Hopkins/Diedre Murray Quartet: Prophecy
by AAJ Staff
In the late '80s, Fred Hopkins and Diedre Murray made an effective duo. Their unusual combination of bass and cello allowed for some interesting musical statements. Shortly thereafter they formed a quartet to expand this sound. The new members: Brandon Ross (guitar) and Newman Baker (drums). All four members played at one time or another in Henry Threadgill's groups. The stated idea behind the 1990 recording Prophecy emphasizes continuity and fluidity of musical thought.
Within a fairly straight-ahead setting, soloists ...
Continue ReadingFred Hopkins & Diedre Murray Quartet: Prophecy
by Glenn Astarita
Sadly, the inimitable bassist Fred Hopkins passed away on Thursday, January 7, 1999. Fred Hopkins was one of the busiest bassists in Chicago's creative music scene and often the bassist of choice for countless recording projects with dozens of performers too numerous to cite here. On the recently released Prophecy which was recorded in 1990 we get a glimpse of the much heralded Fred Hopkins/Diedre Murray Quartet. According to Ms. Murray, 'This was the first recording of a quartet that ...
Continue ReadingJoe Morris: Racket Club
by Glenn Astarita
Guitarist Joe Morris embellishes his already impressive recorded legacy with the newly released Racket Club on the About Time label. Recorded in 1993, this dynamic set features Morris pays a little homage to his blues and rock roots the twin drumming of Jerome Deupree and Curt Newton, along with Nate McBride’s thumping, slapping and funky electric bass work. Morris is clearly the traffic cop here while enjoying bountiful solo opportunities or laying down buzz saw like rhythms on electric guitar, ...
Continue ReadingJoe Morris: Racket Club
by AAJ Staff
With few exceptions, funk and free jazz have remained a safe distance apart. The pioneering efforts of Ornette Coleman's Prime Time, along with the early recordings of James Blood Ulmer, helped bring free funk into the world. But ever since then, most musicians have stayed away.
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 ...
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