Misha Mengelberg Trio: 'Who's Bridge' Avant 038
Misha Mengelberg: piano, Brad Jones: bass, Joey Baron: drums
It was only a matter of time before composer/improviser, pianist and humorist Misha Mengelberg appeared on Avant. Label-boss and musical provocateur John Zorn has a long-held respect for Mengelberg's work and organised a tribute band for the Russian-born Dutch resident during the 1987 October Meeting at Amsterdam's Bimhuis. Now the connection comes full-circle with a new recording featuring Mengelberg at the helm on a series of his own quirky originals. Baron and Jones are a supportive rhythm section and their commentaries seem playfully eager to follow the carefree and offbeat path of Mengelberg's muse. So what do you get on this date from the convenor of Holland's ICP (Instant Composer's Pool) who's gone on the record saying "I am a rotten piano player"? For a musician and brilliant comic performer who's able to conjure up many musical devices for serious inspection or parody, Mengelberg treads a deliciously mainstream path on 'Who's Bridge", or so it seems. Plant a few jazz fans in a room with this recording on in the background and they might be lulled into thinking this is another enjoyable but predictable 50's piano trio. Listen closer and you'll hear something different...a few hiccups in the timeflow, some dissonant splashes interrupting the swing and several well-timed sidesteps which briefly thrust the music into other zones of possibility. Mengelberg's music inhabits a room full of doors, each one opening into a different warped musical space. Things really become interesting when he opens several at a time. His playing exhibits a graceful and relaxed disposition and the familiar jazz styles make it a breezy and fun-filled ride all the way through. Here's an improviser who's neither difficult to listen to nor misguided in his efforts. There's a freedom in this music that apparently aspires to no grand scheme or design other than to be happily, merrily free!
Australian distributor: BIRDLAND 3 Barrack Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Reviewed by Matt Krieg
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Bernie McGann "McGann McGann"
Rufus Records/Polygram: RF011 Total Time: Retail Price: $30 (Approx)
Bernie McGann has one of the most assertive, yet expressive, alto saxophone sounds in the world. He can tackle a 'harmolodic romp' with the same gusto as a be-bop tune, and then play a moving ballad, without losing any of his individual playing style in the transition. This CD, which won an A.R.I.A. award in 1995, features the "Bernie McGann Trio" playing 6 of McGann's highly individual compositions plus a contribution from guest James Greening and one of Monk's lesser known tunes .
The trio consists of Bernie McGann on alto sax, Lloyd Swanton, bass and John Pochee, drums with special guest James Greening ("Wanderlust"/"Ten Part Invention"), trombone, joining them on several tunes. The group is in fine form obviously relishing the challenge of this recording session and enjoying the extra opportunity of interplay with their special guest. Greening obviously enjoys the freedom that a line-up without a chordal instrument allows.
The very mellow swinger, 'Second Wind', by Greening, kicks the CD off. 'Mail' is a rousing tune very much in the style of Ornette Coleman. 'Brownsville' is a bopish tune taken at a very moderate tempo. 'June Bug' finds the trio again in a harmolodic style, but at a much brighter tempo. 'Sweet Lucy' is a more mellow tune with some gritty playing from Bernie and great trading with Pochee. Greening rejoins the group for a rousing workout on 'Birthday Blues'. 'Lazy Days' repeatedly alternates between slow and double-time sections. Monk's 'Ask Me Now' brings the recording to a very satisfying close.
"McGann McGann" is Bernie's first CD under his own name released on Rufus Records. Both this and the subsequent CD "Playground" have been released in America, presumably to capitalise on the group's recent successful festival appearance. This is an excellent CD worthy of addition to any collection. Available through Greg's Music World (in Sydney) and at all good CD stores.
Reviewed by Greg Fisher
Bernie McGann "Playground"
Rufus Records/Polygram: RF023 Total Time: 56:50 Retail Price: $30 (Approx)
It must be nothing more than a strange coincidence that two Australian CDs both bear the same title, "Playground". That both of them should been recorded within the last 12 months by saxophonists from Sydney who have both made a name for themselves within Australia and overseas is bizarre to say the least. However, there are sufficient differences between this and the recent Barlow release to make them both welcome additions to the ever growing catalogue of excellent Australian recordings.
McGann's "Playground" was recorded in Sydney in June 1996. Playing alto in his usual forthright style, Bernie is joined by the rest of his popular trio which features Lloyd Swanton on bass and John Pochee on drums. Special guest Sandy Evans ("Clarion Fracture Zone"/ "Ten Part Invention"), tenor saxophone , not only joins them on all tunes, but also brought along 5 of her excellent compositions for the recording.
'Southerly Buster' 'Playground' 'Snap' 'Eulogy For A Friend' 'Sergei's Dance' 'Skedaddleology' 'Which Way Up' 'One For The Road' 'That's That'
Perhaps, now that McGann has been awarded 3 consecutive A.R.I.A.s - which includes two for his recordings on Rufus - he will be recognised, both locally and world-wide, for his continuing contribution to jazz and his very individualised voice on the alto. If you haven't bought any Australian Jazz this year, buy this CD. Then check out his earlier recordings; you certainly won't be disappointed. Available from John Davis Music and all good CD stores.
Reviewed by Greg Fisher
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Paul Motian Trio: "Trioism" JMT 514 012-2
Paul Motian: Drums ; Joe Lovano:
Tenor Saxophone ; Bill Frisell: Electric Guitar
guest: Dewey Redman : Tenor Saxophone (track 8)
rec. June 1993 NYC
This group's previous release was accompanied by a liner note which exclaimed "The Paul Motian Trio has been together for ten years!" Now, after more than a decade of exceptional music-making together, Motian, Lovano and Frisell appear to be summing up the time spent in each others' illuminating company. "Trioism" is a title which perhaps indicates a celebration of the three-way partnership. It combines versions of older pieces the trio has already covered, with new compositions by Motian, including the feature of long-time associate, Dewey Redman, on the lamenting "Remembrance of Things Past". Elsewhere, the regular group displays the remarkable empathy and openness that has become the trademark of one of the most original bands in contemporary jazz. Frisell veers between a haunting, delay-ridden sound which hangs in the air and the split-toned distortions of his alter-ego. Lovano caresses the big leathery sounds from his horn with the true jazzman's passion. Motian's drumming on this recording is an exquisite distillation of his enormous experience in contemporary music, unique and with a marvellously inventive sense of open-timed pulse. Together, the trio ventures along well-worn paths like "It Should Have Happened A Long Time Ago" and "Jack Of Clubs" with considered intensity, offering mature re-examinations of the themes which were first recorded during the Eighties. New tunes like "Cosmology" find the trio engaged in a fresh conglomeration of spectacular sound and fury. Their earlier live recording in Tokyo may have provided more fireworks, but "Trioism" reminds the listener of the restraint, sensitivity and brilliant interplay that gives this formation the stamp of originality. Highly recommended.
JMT Records is unfortunately now no longer with us (having transformed into the Winter and Winter label.) Stocks of this album are probably dwindling, so either order an import through your local reliable jazz cd shop or go straight through Australian Distributor: BIRDLAND, 3 Barrack Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Reviewed by Matt Krieg
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Music Revelation Ensemble: "In The Name Of..." DIW 885
James "Blood" Ulmer: Electric Guitar ; Amin Ali: Electric Bass ; Cornell Rochester: Drums
Guests: Arthur Blythe: Alto Sax ; Sam Rivers: Soprano/Tenor Saxes, Flute ; Hamiett Bluiett: Baritone Sax. rec. December 1993, NYC.
Jazz still has a great future. The Music Revelation Ensemble makes this patently clear with their exceptional " In The Name Of...". The sound of this band is borne out in its' name, a grooving and powerful meeting at the crossroads of harmolodics and free jazz. The sound of Tomorrow? You bet. This band is forging ahead. Ulmer's melodic outlines are sent reeling into improvised abandon with Rochester's phenomenal roller-coaster drumming splintering off on multidirectional tangents with Ali's pulsating bass. Along with Ulmer's chunky power chords and unison-tuned guitar lines, the MRE trio ploughs through the possibilities of rhythmic and harmonic movement. The reedsmen each blast scribbling, furious horn solos and in unhinged mood they hunt the voodoo down with precision and intensity. Bluiett's single appearance on "The Dawn" is teriffically savage and his vicious baritone blowout represents the centrepiece of the album. Rivers is a joy to behold, blowing mightily on soprano, tenor and flute and Blythe, too, is in ripping form. Ulmer's forward-looking conception provides a rich and expressive terrain for all musicians to extend the framework of electric jazz. Funk, blues, harmolodics and free: they are all here in one of the most convincing amalgams you'll hear. Inspired.
Australian Distributor: BIRDLAND, 3 Barrack Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Reviewed by Matt Krieg
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