Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Buddy Rich: Man From Planet Jazz

Buddy Rich: Man From Planet Jazz

By David Rickert
August 16, 2007
Sign in to view read count

Nobody's really clamoring for big band recordings from 1980 these days, and it's probably the case that no one was back then, either. But it's also true that drummer Buddy Rich never really gave a damn what anybody thought about what he did, which is what makes this live set from Ronnie Scott's worth a listen.

Many big bands went astray by incorporating modern sounds into their arsenal out of economic necessity. Rich is no different; here he brings the funk with fast paced soul rhythms, popping electric bass, and judicious use of the wah-wah pedal on the horn solos. We're far away from Tommy Dorsey and "Opus One and purists will no doubt find little to admire here. But somehow Rich makes it work.

The bandstand has the chops to pull off the music without making it sound like watered down Earth, Wind & Fire and with rhythm being the key ingredient in this type of exercise, Rich and bassist Wayne Pedziwatr pack a wallop. Long out of print, The Man From Planet Jazz accomplishes the almost unthinkable: a fiery, funky record from one the masters of big band recordings.

Track Listing

Intro/Beulah Witch; Grand Concourse; Blues A La 88; Saturday Night; Slow Funk; Good News.

Personnel

Buddy Rich

drums

Buddy Rich: drums; Ernie Vantrease: piano; Wayne Pedziwatr: bass; Andy Fusco: alto sax; Jack Leibowitz: alto sax; Steve Marcus: tenor, soprano sax; Kenny Hitchcock: tenor sax; Bob Coassin: trumpet; Simo Saliminen: trumpet; Bob Doll: trumpet; Mike Plumbleigh: trumpet; Bob Mintzer: baritone sax; Roger Homfield: trombone; Glenn Franke: trombone; Pete Beltran: bass trombone.

Album information

Title: Man From Planet Jazz | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: FiveFour

< Previous
My Favorite Things: Coltrane Live At ...

Next >
Just Friends

Comments

About Buddy Rich

Instrument: Drums

Tags

For the Love of 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 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.