On time and under budget!!!!
TRACK ONE - That almost sounds like a non-jazz bass player copping a "groovy" feel. Oh, ok, that's Roberta Flack. So that would be Ron Carter, and this would be a "commercial" track. Effective for its time, quite, but times have changed and a little more....OOMF (for lack of a better world) would be called for. This is old folks protest, just sit around mellow and bemoan the status quo. Well, yeah, I can do that already.
TRACK TWO - Chick Fingers there...introductions are a bitch, nobody really writes intros now, its either bass vamps or rubato quasi-church rolling around. Of course its sincere, but its also retro and not really pushing me to do anything at how well, they've replicated the Trane Quartet. Ok, it's fun, but I could put on a few other records that would do this same thing.Sax solo is nothing but Trane, but less urgent. Damn this is a long cut for nothing unique to really happen.
TRACK THREE - Is this a church song? Oh, it's one of those nave-gazing rock instrumentals by people who at least can play some. I didn't like this type thing when I was young, like it even less now. But at lease the people can play. I guess I should be impressed by that? Maybe, but they go on so damn long...Oh, good, vocals....Oh GOD NO!!!!! What century are we living in now? Are these people dead yet, or at least retired, they won't make any more records, right? Damn self-indulgent delusional rock shit....
TRACK FOUR - Ok, REALITY AT LAST!!!!! That's McCoy, unmistakable. Thad, unmistakable. Elvin, unmistakable. Gilmore, unmistakable. Frank Stozier (iirc the record right), Yes, this record is old, the music is no longer "contemporary, BUT - and this is what's important for me - it's being made by master musicians who speak in thier own voice. I mean, If John Gilmore cold-called me on the phone and spoke with his horn, I would know who it was without having to ask. In this musical world, that's the ultimate - to be able to play with substance and in your own unmistakable personal voice. This is it.
TRACK FIVE - Interesting, but ultimately irrelevant. For me, anyway. Some rock band trying to show jazz chops by noodling and copping. It would be cool if they added some twists or turns, but....no,
TRACK SIX - Into, again, is there something else that can be done? There ya' go, finally! Sounds like Cedar & Billy, always a good thing. Gotta like this one, once it gets going! RIP to them both, true spirits.
TRACK SEVEN - Sounds like a fired up Mulligan? He could do that when he wanted to. Time is a little rush-y but not fatally so. Trumpet....good(enough ) ideas, but a little rounded off around the intensity edge...neither good nor bad. The time still seems a little rushy, like as far on top of the beat as you can get without actually rushing. I'll put that on the drummer, and I think it's the bassist that keeping it reigned in. Not a bad cut, and if that's Mulligan, it's good to hear him in a less retro setting. But was there some tension on the gig? Something is putting some spurs into the time...
TRACK EIGHT - I do occasionally indulge in an imaginary Teenage Dance Party in my recliner. This would fit in good there, although I will prefer the original. I miss the harmonica. I don't think that American players or producers/engineers ever got a grip on that UK harmonica sound.
TRACK NINE - Intro? Retro, but I do get a taste of some nascent personality, so carry on with that, please! Oh, a second alto, one with a deeper tone and weightier vibe, Student/teacher thing going one? Not a bad record, and that tune sounds familiar. Just get some intors back into the music.
TRACK TEN - Is that Johnny Rivers? That's a stupid song for a grown adult to sing, like, poor boy, how old are you now? But otoh, that's likely the Wrecking Crew and probably the period where he was working with Lou Aedler(?) making those etherial L.A. pop sounds that were all in the air at the time. Annoying lyrics aside, the production is where it's at here, and the production is good.
TRACK ELEVEN - Nope. None of that here. Voices don't have enough personality, lyrics are borderline crybaby, production doesn't put forth any kind of a clear statement of intent. Maybe you had to be there, but I am here now, and that shit don't play here. How are things in your town?
Ok, the good stuff was great. The other stuff, different strokes, etc. Thanks for providing content!!!!
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