Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Scott Colley: Empire

Scott Colley: Empire

By Mark F. Turner
February 3, 2011
View read count

Track review of "January"

Empire is another exceptional release by Scott Colley, the first-call bassist whose deep strings have been the mainstay with numerous leading artists and a part of several fine recordings including drummer Antonio Sanchez's outstanding Live in New York at Jazz Standard (Cam Jazz, 2010). "January," the album's opener, sets a mood that is as cinematic as it is compelling. The twang of strings from Bill Frisell's guitar, the whispered wind song of percussive bells from drummer Brian Blade, and the elongated notes from trumpeter Ralph Alessi all create a ethereal backwoods aura, as the rhythmic pocket grows more intense like a storm on the outskirts of a quiet rural town.

It has been said that "A picture is worth a thousand words," and the cover art for Empire secretly confirms that truth through a Colley family photo (circa 1875-family home and post office in Empire, Kansas). "January"'s strong vibe found its inspiration, more than likely, from the photo's fascinating source material:

"In 1875 Joseph J. Colby constructed the first permanent residence which was the beginning of Empire. Any hope for a prosperous future for Empire was shattered when a branch of the AT&SF Railroad was completed September 23, 1879 passing north of Empire through the present site of Galva. It didn't take long for the residents of Empire to move their buildings north to the tracks. By 1880, even the post office was closed. The beginning of Galva meant the end of Empire..."—Galva, Kansas Historical Records.

Regardless of the connection, Colley's opening track, as articulated by consummate musicians, denotes not only a stalwart bassist, but a composer who is thoughtful and creative. The track, like the photo, conveys a sense of capturing a moment in time and hints at much more to be discovered.

Personnel

Scott Colley

bass

Scott Colley: bass; Ralph Alessi: trumpet; Brian Blade: drums; Bill Frisell: guitar; Craig Taborn: piano.

Album information

Title: Empire | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: CAM Jazz

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Archiduc Concert: Dansaert Variatiio...
< Previous

Concierto
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.