Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Phil Ranelin: Inspiration

357

Phil Ranelin: Inspiration

By

Sign in to view read count
Phil Ranelin: Inspiration
While he started out as a Motown session player, trombonist Phil Ranelin left that behind in the '70s, instead pursuing a style that blended post-Coltrane post bop with Afro-Cuban rhythms and harmonies. With Inspiration , Ranelin delivers an album firmly planted in these traditions, paying tribute to a number of his influences and past collaborators, including Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, Eric Dolphy and, of course, Coltrane.

Ranelin's nonet combines saxophones, bass clarinet and, on occasion, flutes, to create a rich horn section that blends beautifully with Ranelin's warm trombone. By eschewing the inclusion of more top-heavy trumpets, his brass section avoids the brashness often found in larger ensembles. Still, that doesn't stop Ranelin's arrangements from being absolutely vibrant; his arrangements jump off the page and out of the speakers in an adventurous yet compelling way that is reverent to their sources yet has a vibe all its own. Owing more to the sound of the '60s Impulse! recordings than the more often-emulated Blue Note records of the same time period, Ranelin aims for a more cluttered dense ambience that still manages to be completely accessible.

His trombone playing has never been better. With adventurous ideas and a lush tone that is never brash, Ranelin's solos are soulful, melodic and, at the same time, a little curious, occasionally heading outwards yet never losing site of the material's essence. Tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders guests, appropriately, on "This One's for Trane," and his distinctive, harmonics-laden sound brings back clear memories of Coltrane, over the modal backdrop of rhythm section team Danny Grissett on piano, bassist Jeff Littleton, drummer Lorca Hart and percussionist Taumbu.

And while the influence of Coltrane's modal vamps is evident, so too is a strong sense of swing. "Horace's Scope" and "Spirit of Dolphy" both move at a clip, challenging the soloists to keep up. "HT's Waltz," an early respite from the generally high energy of the record, finds Ranelin playing over a rich combination of reeds and flutes. The only real misstep of an otherwise outstanding collection is "Beyond a Memory," where Ranelin's vocals and lyrics, while serviceable, are on the pedestrian side, which is a shame as the tune itself is solid, with a strong solo by Wendell Harrison, who collaborated with Ranelin in Stevie Wonder's band in the '70s.

Still, one misfire is not enough to detract from an energetic and passionate set that demonstrates Ranelin's strong abilities as a player, writer and arranger. Inspiration clearly refers to Ranelin's many influences, but it also alludes to a deeper spiritual connection that pervades this immensely satisfying set.

Visit Phil Ranelin on the web.

Track Listing

Freddie's Groove, HT's Waltz, One for Johnson, This One's for Trane, Horace's Scope, Black on the Nu, Beyond Memory, Shades of Dolphy, Spirit of Dolphy, Shades of Dolphy (encore)

Personnel

Phil Ranelin
trombone

Phil Ranelin--trombone, cowbell, vocal; Keith Fiddmont, George Harper Jr., Zane Muse, Louis Van Taylor--reeds; Danny Grissett--piano; Jeff Littleton--bass; Lorca Hart--drums; Taumbu--percussion

Album information

Title: Inspiration | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Wide Hive Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create 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.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve 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.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.