Over the next few postings, we'll take a look at number of the fine new releases of the summer of 2009.
Bassist-guitarist-composer Joe Morris is one busy man and has 2 very fine recordings out on the AUM Fidelity label. “Wildlife“ features the trio of Morris (bass), Luther Gray (drums) and Petr Cancura (alto & tenor saxophones) careering their way through 4 high-powered group improvisations. Morris, who began playing bass only 8 years ago, is a solid player, not flashy, but a strong pulse in the music. His “solidness" allows Gray a lot of movement in the songs and his joyous forward motion really drives the pieces. Cancura, born in the Czech Republic and now living in Brooklyn, brings both fire and contemplation to the material. His squalling, wailing, and keening alto solo in the midst of the 19-minute “Thicket“ has great power yet never wanders off into total abstraction. Contrast that to his long tenor tones at the opening of “Crow“ - he does not force the issue but works with the rhythm section to give the music shape and meaning. This “Wildlife" swings, at times, with abandon but never without focus. For more information, go to aumfidelity.com.
In other Joe Morris news, AUM Fidelity will issue his new Quartet CD, “Today on Earth“ in October. To my ears, it' s one of his best. Straddling, or better yet, blurring the lines between group improvisation, freedom, and melody while dissolving the barriers of genre (is it jazz, jazz-rock, fusion - who cares?), the ensemble of Morris (guitar), Gray (drums), Timo Shanko (bass) and Jim Hobbs (alto saxophone) digs into this music. There are moments when this band flat-out swings (Gray, again, brings the joy of propulsion to the forefront); yet, the quieter moments are among the most melodic of Morris's long career (and he does that without the music sounding “commercial.")
In a year that has already produced many strong CDs, this Joe Morris Quartet release should make a lot of “Best of.." lists and deservedly so.
Among the many strong releases of the year are a slew of big band/large ensemble recordings. Here's another and this one may swing the hardest. Joris Teepe, born in The Netherlands and a New Yorker since the early 90s, is a solid bassist who has worked with a slew of the finest mainstream jazz musicians. He's released a passel of CDs on both sides of the Atlantic but “We Take No Prisoners“ (Challenge Records) is his first as a leader of a big band and it absolutely swings from the opening seconds to the closing fade. In between, the 17-piece band makes great music. Even the pastoral sounding “Peace on Earth“ opens up to a bouncing, rock-ish beat and into a walking line that is irresistible. The brass section (4 trumpets, 4 trombones) gives the music great power and presence. Add to that 5 reeds and the atmospheric guitar work of Bruce Arnold and the songs (all Teepe originals) really stand out. The late Rashied Ali works with the group on “Almost Lucky“, the one true ballad on the program and his connection with Teepe and pianist Jon Davis is quite creative. Gene Jackson is the band's regular drummer and he understands the role of a big band percussionist: push the soloists hard, be subtle in the quieter moments and “kick" when needed. He does not disappoint.
I won't get into analyzing the solos but, suffice to say, there are no weak moments throughout the 6 tracks. No one goes on too long and there are few, if any, cliches in the playing.
Amazingly, this CD was recorded in 6 hours! To these ears, this band sounds as if they've been playing for years - that's a tribute to both the musicians and the leader's strong melodies and creative arrangements. If you like the sound of big band, you'll gladly be a prisoner to Joris Teepe and his music. To find out more, go to joristeepe.com.
Bassist-guitarist-composer Joe Morris is one busy man and has 2 very fine recordings out on the AUM Fidelity label. “Wildlife“ features the trio of Morris (bass), Luther Gray (drums) and Petr Cancura (alto & tenor saxophones) careering their way through 4 high-powered group improvisations. Morris, who began playing bass only 8 years ago, is a solid player, not flashy, but a strong pulse in the music. His “solidness" allows Gray a lot of movement in the songs and his joyous forward motion really drives the pieces. Cancura, born in the Czech Republic and now living in Brooklyn, brings both fire and contemplation to the material. His squalling, wailing, and keening alto solo in the midst of the 19-minute “Thicket“ has great power yet never wanders off into total abstraction. Contrast that to his long tenor tones at the opening of “Crow“ - he does not force the issue but works with the rhythm section to give the music shape and meaning. This “Wildlife" swings, at times, with abandon but never without focus. For more information, go to aumfidelity.com.In other Joe Morris news, AUM Fidelity will issue his new Quartet CD, “Today on Earth“ in October. To my ears, it' s one of his best. Straddling, or better yet, blurring the lines between group improvisation, freedom, and melody while dissolving the barriers of genre (is it jazz, jazz-rock, fusion - who cares?), the ensemble of Morris (guitar), Gray (drums), Timo Shanko (bass) and Jim Hobbs (alto saxophone) digs into this music. There are moments when this band flat-out swings (Gray, again, brings the joy of propulsion to the forefront); yet, the quieter moments are among the most melodic of Morris's long career (and he does that without the music sounding “commercial.")
In a year that has already produced many strong CDs, this Joe Morris Quartet release should make a lot of “Best of.." lists and deservedly so.
Among the many strong releases of the year are a slew of big band/large ensemble recordings. Here's another and this one may swing the hardest. Joris Teepe, born in The Netherlands and a New Yorker since the early 90s, is a solid bassist who has worked with a slew of the finest mainstream jazz musicians. He's released a passel of CDs on both sides of the Atlantic but “We Take No Prisoners“ (Challenge Records) is his first as a leader of a big band and it absolutely swings from the opening seconds to the closing fade. In between, the 17-piece band makes great music. Even the pastoral sounding “Peace on Earth“ opens up to a bouncing, rock-ish beat and into a walking line that is irresistible. The brass section (4 trumpets, 4 trombones) gives the music great power and presence. Add to that 5 reeds and the atmospheric guitar work of Bruce Arnold and the songs (all Teepe originals) really stand out. The late Rashied Ali works with the group on “Almost Lucky“, the one true ballad on the program and his connection with Teepe and pianist Jon Davis is quite creative. Gene Jackson is the band's regular drummer and he understands the role of a big band percussionist: push the soloists hard, be subtle in the quieter moments and “kick" when needed. He does not disappoint.I won't get into analyzing the solos but, suffice to say, there are no weak moments throughout the 6 tracks. No one goes on too long and there are few, if any, cliches in the playing.
Amazingly, this CD was recorded in 6 hours! To these ears, this band sounds as if they've been playing for years - that's a tribute to both the musicians and the leader's strong melodies and creative arrangements. If you like the sound of big band, you'll gladly be a prisoner to Joris Teepe and his music. To find out more, go to joristeepe.com.
