Donald Harrison: Free Style

The piece in question was "Free Style, the title track of alto saxophonist Donald Harrison's latest recording. This album, his second for thee German Nagel-Heyer label, continues the stripped-down style showcased on his first Nagel-Heyer album, Heroes (2004). The tracks are largely a set of trio recordings with Harrison joined by bassist Vincente Archer and drummer John Lamkin. Pianist Glen Patscha plays on three cuts and helps to round out the edges, so the overall experience isn't too relentless.

Some of Harrison's earlier work, like his '99 Impulse album Free to Be, used larger bands and sounded very polished. These days he sounds a lot more stripped-down and funky—most definitely a good thing. The preferred style these days is structured around a tightly-locked groove from the rhythm section. The lack of piano on most of the tracks gives Harrison a great deal of room to stretch out, and stretch out he does, building his simple themes to a towering intensity. Tracks like "Free to Be, "Get Your Swerve, and "Free Style" are groove-based and addictive—you just want them to carry on and on. Even the covers, like Miles Davis' "So What and Monk's "Well You Needn't, are a lot more tough and funky than I ever recall. If you grew up on funk and electronic music, where the groove is where it's at, you will love this.

The only slight duff tracks are "Rock Song, which, er, sounds like a rock song and leans towards the plodding; and "New Hope, which starts to sound a little too smooth in places, with its mellow piano chords. These are minor complaints, though overall you will want to keep on coming back to this one. I am curious now as to where Harrison will head next. Keep your eyes open for the Donald Harrison album of classic '70s funk covers... Just kidding!