Customer Reviews

Nine to Get Ready

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

 

 

Duke Ellington composes for and conducts the Art Ensemble. Well, not exactly, but I'm trying to give you the feel of this quite beautiful album. Roscoe expands his long-time Sound Ensemble to the larger Note Factory with the addition of several top players, including George Lewis on trombone and William Parker on bass, and leads the Nine through 10 compositions. The passing of Lester Bowie seems to hang over the proceedings. Roscoe must have known that Lester's time wasn't long, and both "For Lester B" and "Jamaican Farewell" serve as moving tributes to his longtime Art Ensemble compatriot (with Hugh Ragin on masterful trumpet). "Hop Hip Bip Bir Rip" is the only piece that utilizes the full outside roar that most associate with the Art Ensemble and other avant units. "Bessie Harris" sounds very much like Sun Ra to me, swinging, but on another planet -- maybe Saturn, maybe not... Most of the pieces are on the contemplative side, and emphasize composition and ensemble texture over individual improvisation, bop-style. The closer, "Big Red Peaches," is a funky little number, and a classic Roscoe gambit, going out on a backbeat after traversing the outer realms, the way the Art Ensemble used to close live shows with "The Odwalla Theme." I first heard -- and saw! -- them at the Chicago Jazzfest in 1980, an unforgettable ritual experience.

The early '90s was a lull period for Roscoe, and he has recently reasserted his position in the jazz pantheon with the CD reissue of SOUND (1966) by Delmark, his pathbreaking and influential first record, and with a series of increasingly confident recordings. This is the best of them, and one of his best ever! Thankfully he was able to record for ECM, with much better distribution than the various independent labels that cutting edge artists are usually relegated to, and the sound and packaging are superb. The cover photo of 9 parallel railroad tracks is a classic. If you are a fan of Mitchell, this is a must-have. If you are just checking him out, this is a fine place to start!

Fans of good jazz should dig this album. This is a "sweet" contemporary jazz album. Roscoe Mitchell, Tani Tabbal, and William Parker rock... A very nice addition to your collection