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Ralph Simon: As
by Glenn Astarita
As represents composer/saxophonist Ralph Simon’s second recording as a leader. Although originally recorded in 1981, As sounds remarkably fresh while consistently conveying a contemporary feel or vibe which is evident from the opening moments of Simon’s piece, “Kalimba”. Here, Simon and his bandmates elicit tropical themes enhanced by the late Gene Adler’s meticulous utilization of the kalimba along with vibraphonist Jeff Berman as Simon provides the ethereal treatments and acute expressionism via his soprano sax. Peppery yet low-key rhythms prevail ...
Continue ReadingPat Martino: Comin' & Goin'
by Douglas Payne
The two-disc set, Comin' and Goin', collects guitarist Pat Martino's final Muse LP of the 1970s, Exit (1976), and his first Muse recording of the 1980s, The Return (1987). In between, Martino recorded two fine fusion albums for Warner Bros. (both documented on the 32 Jazz set, First Light ), suffered a brain aneurysm, lost all his memory and completely taught himself to play the guitar all over again.A story like that almost forces the listener to place ...
Continue ReadingDavid Liebman: The Elements: Water
by Glenn Astarita
Soprano sax icon and modern jazz pioneer Dave Liebman teams up with the equally talented and famous jazz guitarist Pat Metheny for their first ever recording. Liebman’s “”The Elements: Water” represents the first in a projected series of recordings dedicated to the elements. Liebman states in the liners: ... The music “all derives from the opening solo guitar theme” and continues with: “Every composition is based on a different harmonic aspect of this melody”. The first piece “Water: Giver Of ...
Continue ReadingDavid Liebman: The Elements: Water
by Jim Santella
Influenced by John Coltrane, Lennie Tristano, and Charles Lloyd, then having interned with Elvin Jones and Miles Davis, saxophonist Dave Liebman has a lot to draw from when he sits down at the piano to compose. More about the session’s leader may be found at www.arkadiarecords.com . This album is just the first of four jazz suites to be created by Liebman; music that wakes up the listener’s imagination and successfully folds in modern mainstream jazz with tone poem imagery. ...
Continue ReadingDavid Liebman: The Elements: Water
by Jack Bowers
Water, the first of four Jazz suites by Dave Liebman inspired by the elements (Earth, Air and Fire are to follow) is designed to evoke images of water in its many forms and guises, from tranquil to chaotic, rivulet to ocean, droplet to deluge. Does it achieve its purpose? Perhaps so. But others will have to make that assessment. I’ve always had trouble with tone poems, classical or any other kind. Even with program in hand, they usually sound like ...
Continue ReadingDave Liebman: John Coltrane's Meditations
by AAJ Staff
When it comes seeing how adventurous a person is, John Coltrane's late period is one of the things that separates the men from the boys and the women from the girls. From 1965 until his death in 1967, Trane offered the most atonal of free jazz-and his music became so blistering that even some of his most ardent admirers shy away from his late period. But what frightens others is a challenge that Dave Liebman accepts with this CD, which ...
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