A New Beginning

[B. Goren.]

As I wrote here several times in the past, I have a special and unexplained weakness to multi reed players. RRK, Dolphy, Ehrlich, Lateef and of course Ken Mcintyre. Mcintyre is a little bit different from all the others because of his oboe and bassoon playing. I love the music he composed, I love what he did when he played with Dolphy and I love the way he improvise.

Also Joanne Brackeen is one of my favorite players. I put my hands on all of her available CDs. She is a pianist of the highest quality and one of the important figures on the contemporary jazz.

When I've heard that they recorded together I knew it must be something special. A New Beginning is Mcintyre's last recording. Mcintyre sounds great and he also composed all the tunes. Brackeen plays some beautiful solos. Wilbur Morris on the bass (I had the honor to see him in Tel-Aviv a few years ago when he played with Murray), and Charlie Persip on drums complete the rhythm section.

The Review from Coda (by Jerry D'Souza) :

McIntyre, who composed all the tunes, has a wide-ranging approach. His writing is chock full of energy that opens up avenues for open-ended improvisation and interesting key changes. He can go from swing to yowl, tempering the two with a linear bridge. He adds diversity by snuggling in a Caribbean beat, most particularly on the catchy "Breadfruit" with its sprinkling of blues and a shake of funk. And he pulls it all in with a compelling ballad that cuts deep into the melody on "Evolvement."

The band, with Joanne Brackeen on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Charli Persip on drums, helping in giving the music impetus. Brackeen in particular is energetic, effervescent, and her cup of ideas is filled to the brim. She builds delightful harmonic landscapes on her solos, constantly drawing the listening into the cocoon of her invention.

Now I have to add to my collection some of McIntyre's SteepleChase recordings.

Edited August 31, 2004 by B. Goren.

[sidewinder]

'Hindsight' is a pretty good place to start..