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Flutology: First Date
This well programmed and well recorded studio set opens with an energetic workout on Charlie Parker's "Be Bop," a lovingly lyrical cover of Lee Morgan's "Ceora" with a shining solo by Hofman, a perky cover of Hank Mobley's "This I Dig of You," plus a handful of Wess originals, including the aptly titled "Pretty Is." The distinct personalities of the flutists shine through since there's an overwhelming sense of non-competitiveness among the players, each taking generous solos.
Also uniting them is a love of a warm and smooth tone rooted in classical flute. They connect to the Hubert Laws/James Newton camp, avoiding the highly vocalized flute tone established by Roland Kirk and Yusef Lateef. For far too many decades the flute, let alone the flute ensemble, has held a marginalized position in jazz. What Howard Johnson's band Gravity did to redeem the unjustly marginalized tuba, Flutology promised to do for the flute.
Even more significantly, I have rarely heard a band with a three musician front line in recent years with so many creative ideas that seamlessly mesh. This is simply a great mainstream jazz album of 2003 by any standard, and the fact that it showcases flutes makes it that much more singular and breathtaking.
Track Listing
1. Be Bop, 2. Ceora, 3. Sump' Went Wrong, 4. Rainesville, 5. This I Dig of You, 6. Pretty Is, 7. Equal Parts, 8. A Child is Borm, 9. Flutopia.
Personnel
Frank Wess, Holly Hofman, Ali Ryerson, Mike Wofford, Peter Washington, Ben Riley.
Album information
Title: First Date | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Unknown label
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