Customer Reviews

Ennea / Pure Music

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Everyone knows "Get It On" the one chart topper from Chase. What most don't realize is that "Get It On" was really not one of the group's better or more technically demanding numbers. The follow up albums "Ennea" and "Pure Music" show that the group and its brilliant front man were just hitting there stride at the time of Bill's untimely demise in August of 1974.

"Ennea" features a similar line up in terms of personnel to that on the first album but the arrangements,primarily done by Bill himself reflect a greater confidence in the technical skills of the members of the band than the first album did. The phrasings written by Chase and the multi layered trumpet lines are as fresh today as they ever were. Above and beyond the extraordinary skill of the band as always though is the undeniable brilliance of Bill Chase himself. In the "Pure Music" section of the CD are two pieces entitled "Twinkles" and "Bochawa" which are representative of the range Chase posessed. With the possible exception of Maynard Ferguson, the world has never known another trumpet man of Bill Chase's skill, ferocity and range. If you love trumpets, you have to own all of Chase's albums. He is in my view the best there ever was.

The 60's and early 70's gave rise to a lot of rock bands utilizing horns...this is the BEST horn band that EVER WAS! A Bill Chase fan and trumpet-player myself, I had to run out and buy their album as soon as I heard "Get It On" on the radio. "Chase," their first of only (3) recorded albums, is great, but my favorites were the next two featured on this one disc. Bill's idea of using the Hammond organ to fill out the voicing of (4) trumpets not only SOUNDED GREAT, but it was pure genius. The band was born in Las Vegas during the "old days," when each hotel house band sounded better than the road bands who played together every night. Each of their albums featured a different lead vocalist, all great, and G.G. Shinn, heard here on "Ennea," is probably the BEST I've ever heard ! His incredible vocal range and versatility are really shown off on the magnificent charts on this album!

Then there's the musicians...listen to it and you'll see why words just don't do it. Every time I listen to "Pure Music" I hear the late Reynald Schilke (himself a pretty good trumpet player... for many years principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony) as my 80-year-old trumpet teacher, saying of the album, "Have you heard this? Even if you don't like the MUSIC, you have to hear it for the PLAYING! FANTASTIC! "

I would make the same suggestion to anyone considering buying this. Listen to it...you'll LOVE IT!

This is actually two albums in one. They are the little known follow ups to Chase's self titled first release. With no real clear cut single hit neither album received the popular attraction of the first album...too bad. This one is just as good. Fans of "Invitation to a River" will be just as enthralled by Chase's journey through the Greek Gods. "Pure Music" is more of an instrumental release. Though the lyrics to "Run Back To Mama" may not play well in this politacally correct world. A must buy to complete your Chase collection.

Ennea/Pure Music are two recordings I have lookedfor over many years. I was very pleased to not only find them, but tofind the two together on one CD! This latest CD is more musicly creative than his first self titled album, but the first album better displays this groups' trumpet talents. Bill Chase was one of the most talented trumpet players I have ever heard. His upper register trumpet performances are unbeaten. The combination of this extremely talented man, and the other talented trumpet players as backup has never been duplicated. The fact that all of these individuals could mimic the effect of studio created echoes by only playing the different harmony parts is amazing. The world lost an amazing talent with the untimely death of Bill Chase, but fortunately he left us with his recorded legacy. I have listened to Chase since my high school years in the early 70's. As a trumpet player, we all drooled over the trumpet talents of Bill Chase. Chase's first album was one of the first 8 track tapes I ever bought. Anyone who enjoys quality trumpet playing should lay their hands on both of these albums.

It's all been said by the others who reviewed these two albums but I wanted to stress the fact that these two Chase albums are mandatory listening for trumpet and brass players. If you want to really experience genuine dizzying excitement, then you have found it in "Ennea." "Swanee River" is an eerie sequel to the last track on Chase's 1st album, and "Woman of the Dark" is one of my all-time favorite tunes- certainly worth the price of admission, in my opinion. While I admit the whole Ennea album concept can appear "contrived" and "corny" at times, the music is simply fantastic and the whirlwind of trumpet licks will amaze you. Both albums were previously unavailable anywhere except in second hand record stores on vinyl. I still have my original LP of "Ennea." "Pure Music" was even more difficult to locate. For the price of BOTH albums you simply cannot go wrong! The music of Chase is simply essential for trumpet players and at this rock-bottom price you have the opportunity to place a magnificent piece of jazz/rock fusion history on your shelf.

I'm a former trumpet player who first became a Bill Chase fan in high school, when Bill first recorded with Woody Herman in 1963 (I saw that edition of the Herd several times, thanks to my Mom and Dad's support of my musical interests). I bought the first Chase album when it first came out, but somehow never acquired the next two. While I think that the many other Amazon reviewers of these albums have captured this group's importance, I'd like to add my reactions after listening to a bunch of horn-group music from this era.

First, my LP is in excellent condition, but exhibits mediocre sound quality; the richness others mention is likely the warmth and affection of pleasant memories. You can buy and listen to the CDs without fear that you are missing anything sonically.

Secondly, I agree with those who comment that the song lyrics are second-rate. I'd also have to add that the vocals are shamelessly patterned after David Clayton-Thomas, but without his fire and style. Those who downplay BS&T's contribution to jazz rock are advised to listen to their later work, even Clayton-Thomas's 1980 revival CD titled Nuclear Blues. The lyrics and vocals are better than Chase's numbers, and the arrangements have more color and variety because of the varied instrumentation.

Nonetheless, all of the Chase albums feature absolutely fierce playing by a trumpet section blessed with stainless-steel chops and monster technique. Ignore the somewhat lame vocals and concentrate on the section voicings and playing, and any trumpeter will come away awed and inspired. From this standpoint, I actually enjoyed the final album Pure Music most. I also like its wonderful cover, so evocative of the fiery sound Bill produced from his horn.

As far as the Bill Chase/Maynard Ferguson comparison, I can only recommend that those who know mostly his MF Horn series on Columbia should seek out his earlier Roulette or Mainstream recordings, as wll as his later live work on Avenue and Concord. The man is a titanic force, totally incomparable in his mastery of big-band trumpet. I do believe that Bill may well have become MF's equal, but he never got the chance to develop the full range of his talents

My 4-star rating reflects 5-star trumpets offset by 3-star vocals and recording quality. But those who enjoy brilliant, brassy trumpet playing should add this album in their collection ASAP! Also check out BS&T 4 and later albums like New Blood (rare) or the previously mentioned Nuclear Blues. While Chicago is much more pop/rock than jazz, you should have at least a hits compilation. I have an Australian CD entitled 25 Years of Gold that features a great history of the group in addition to a nice selection of their music. You might also want to check out Tower of Power, who were perhaps the ultimate soul horn section. Want more of Bill Chase? Try to find the mid-60s Woody Herman recordings on Philips and Columbia - or the live recordings of Chase

Chase's final two LPs before the group leader's (and the group's) untimely demise in a plane crash, this CD shows the direction the band was heading toward. The Mythology theme of Ennea is as hokey today as it was in 1974. But the orchestrations and playing are a true testament to the fine talent this band had. I defy anyone to listen to this CD and not replay certain passages before you make it all the way through. THIS BAND HAD ENERGY IN SPADES. The other good news is that this release fares much better sonically than the CD of their first LP. The sound is much fuller...probably because the CD of the first LP comes from a quad master mixdown (apparently the original two track LP master cannot be located). This CD is a must for anyone who loves jazz/rock fusion!

Ennea never really did stand on its own legs. It quickly disappeared in vinyl, cassette and 8-track. Eventually, it reappeared as the second of a double album coupled with the first. In its CD incarnation, it is bundled with the third album.

Talk about your sophomore jinxes, put a picture of Chase's second album in the dictionary next to 'sophomoric' (and a quote from this review under cliche?). 'Behold the mighty Cronus!' announces the Clayton-Thomas wannabee. But, like any sophomore with promise, this work does demonstrate a certain talent and a willingness to take risks.

The payoff is Chase's third album, 'Pure Music.' Dispite its pretentious title, this work delivers nearly pure music. Nearly pure - the liner notes refer to Run Back to Mama as politically incorrect; the song was always stupid, the music always good. Risks were taken. He knew his audience would expect screaming trumpets, yet he delivers Weird Song, Twinkles, and Bochawa as if that was what his audience really needed all along. And he was right. It isn't the high notes, it's the music that makes 'Pure Music' a must have, even if Ennea must be crated along with it. Note: In 'Pure Music' you have a Must Have. In 'Chase' you have a musthaveforexhighschooltrumpetplayers.

Now, as to comparisons with Maynard Ferguson, there is no comparison. At the risk of hacking off the 'experts' and offending the censors: If you have never heard Maynard's Hot Canary, or Stan Kenton's City of Glass, Incident in Jazz, or This Modern World, then you really don't know what you're talking about - you've never heard what Maynard could do. There is no comparison. Nevertheless, keep emailing Legacy (division of Sony) Records, and get them to re-release the MF Horn albums on CD. If you like Chase's brand of trumpet playing, you will also enjoy these albums. (Just try to find them)

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST TRUMPET ALBUMS ANYWHERE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A C D FOR A LONG TIME FOR CHASE AND HAVE NOT FOUND ONE UNTIL NOW. SOUNDS GREAT LOT BETTER THAN I REMEMBER MY 8 TRACKS SOUNDING HA HA. A GOOD FRIEND FOUND CHASE FOR ME A LONG TIME AGO JOHN ETH,HE A GREAT TRUMPET PLAYER ALSO. BUY THIS ONE IT IS GREAT. THANKS

Let's face it this band had chops!!! The horn players executed acrobatics only dreamt of by the other horn bands of the time.

Featuring four trumpets as opposed to the more traditional varied (trumpet, trombone and/or sax and flute) ensemble, this band was a brass fancier's delight. They played TIGHT. They played difficult unison passages and they played them excellently. In Bill Chase and Jay Sollenberger they had some high note specialist that could shred the air with hose notes. About half this recording was really good. Such pieces as "Weird Song #1", "Bochawa", "Close Up Tight" and "Twinkles" shows the band and their best.

The rhythm section was tight too. The pace furious. All the pieces I mentioned are from the "Pure Music" half of this two-fer.

The rest of the recording feature less than spectacular results although the playing is always first rate. The horn section always in top form. It's the material that is largely the problem in some instances.

This band needed to select their material much more carefully. "Twinkles" is the one piece that really showed that this band could've loosened up a bit and played in a loose fluid style, if they wanted to.. It's a ballad where Bill Chase stretches out and it also features a nice melodic bass solo.

"Close Up Tight" is very jazz based and features some nice soloing and ensemble passages. "Weird Song #1" leans heavily on a jazz aesthetic while embracing fusion fully. It's interesting because it lives up to it's name, It's just a weird song, man. Refreshingly so.

If the "Ennea" half of this twofer had been better I would've given this more stars.