In Flux

Ravi Coltrane | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Savoy Jazz
• ASIN: B0007GP6AG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,641 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will he ever top his dad?, March 6, 2005

By 

Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Flux (Audio CD)

Probably not, at least in the popular pantheon of jazz immortals. But the bigger question is, Does it even matter?

Especially in view of the absolute first-class modern jazz he's been purveying over the last few albums released under his name. And make no mistake, this one tops all previous efforts. By a comfortable margin.

With In Flux, Ravi Coltrane has unequivocally established himself at the very top of contemporary jazz saxophonists, bandleaders, and composers. There's such a deep, dancing sensibility here, an entirely locked-in vibe between bandmates, a compositional onslaught, a musical tour-de-force, that one pauses and shakes one's head to have encountered music of such rare accomplishment, so unexpectedly bursting out of one's speakers.

Just as his dad was one of the first in the bop era to explore the glories of the soprano sax, so Ravi has continued that tradition, here emerging as perhaps the most accomplished practitioner of this difficult horn of anyone since the regretted passing of Steve Lacy. Take his solo on "Coincide," one of the most remarkable extended soprano excursions ever recorded. Demonstrating not only tonal perfection by locating his pitch at the exact center of each note, but an astounding fluidity and dexterity, simultaneously mapped onto a brilliant melodic and rhythmic conception, Coltrane fils bursts forth as the inheritor of not only his dad's "Favorite Things"-era soprano mastery but also that of the aforementioned Lacy, as well as such luminaries as Wayne Shorter and Dave Liebman. How strange, then, that he should put away the smaller horn until the last cut of the disc (which is, albeit, the longest cut and features some of the trickiest and most accomplished group interaction).

And, as the rest of the disc more than amply demonstrates, he's no slouch on tenor sax either. From a tonal standpoint, he reminds me of a combination of the two Joes, Henderson and Lovano. He's got that graceful fluidity so characteristic of late Henderson combined with the warmth of expression that defines Lovano at his best. But, truth be told, he's his own man, with his own conception, on the larger horn.

The band, entirely tuned in and sympatico to the leader's every nuance and expressive moment, represents just about the finest example of new-lion tuned-inness with unbounded creativity. Look. This is a band to die for. Bassist Drew Gress not only has graced some of the hippest and most exemplary new jazz sessions (such as Tony Malaby's Adobe and Steve Coleman's Lucidarium), but has released two adventurous discs as leader. E. J. Strickland is fast becoming the premier young lion drummer on the scene. And Luis Perdomo, whose debut disc is one I covet beyond almost all others, displays a pianist depth and conception far beyond his tender years.

Combine all that with some of the hippest and most edgy, although still melodically rooted, tunes by contemporary jazz composers, and you've got a disc situated in the very center of the burgeoning young master scene.

Anyone interested in tracking with the unfolding jazz of the new millenium should not hesitate to check out this altogether spectacular disc.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coming into his own, March 7, 2005

By 

Mark Turner "markT" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Flux (Audio CD)

I've followed Ravi Coltrane's career and have enjoyed all of his recordings (esp. "From the Round Box") yet "In Flux" takes him to a new level. With his "working" band for more than two years the recording exudes style, and maturity.

This music fits well into modern jazz but should not be classified necessarily as post bop. This feels and sounds like what a lot of younger artists are trying and should be doing: Expressing themselves and not recreating memories of yesterday's jazz. The elements are still in tact though - free expression, improvisation, and group interaction. "In Flux" does it superbly.

All the compositions were written by Ravi and/or the group except for the Wayne Shorter piece "United" which is recreated with Ravi's unique touch. There are moments that are really moving such as the beautiful ballads "Away" and "Dear Alice" in dedication to his mother Alice Coltrane.

There are free jazz short-takes "Variations I and III," and heavy hitters such as "Leaving Avignon" and cerebral force of "For Zoe." Hats off to Perdomo, Gress, and Strickland for some great playing and strong solos.

Ravi's voice on tenor and soprano is stirring, expressive, and is continuing to grow. The year's still early but this will definitely be on my year's best list.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars leaves me wanting in the end..., May 25, 2005

By 

freddiefreejazz (Bordeaux, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Flux (Audio CD)

Though there's a marvelous version of "United" (by Wayne Shorter), this disc leaves me wanting in the end... After several listenings you end up thinking OK, this is neat, this is well done, but some pieces are too short, and "United" is shunted. Why? Why not finish the phrase? OK, I admit, it's up to them. They made the record. Yes, these guys are very good (Luis Perdomo on piano is perhaps the most striking)... Worth you give a listen.