Chico Freeman

[Late]

Yes, Daddy Von is justifiably revered, but what about Chico the Son? (Now I'm going to use a colloquialism I can't stand ... ) — where are "the props" for Chico?

[Guest]

Yes, Daddy Von is justifiably revered, but what about Chico the Son? (Now I'm going to use a colloquialism I can't stand ... ) — where are "the props" for Chico?

I know Chico for only a really great cd: The Pied Piper (Black Hawk BKH 50801 CD, 1984), one of the greatest -I think- "hard bop" records of the '80s. I bought it because Kenny Kirkland, Elvin Jones and Cecil McBee were part of the group. It's a great swinging date (other musicians: John Purcell, Mark Thompson), made by a great group, with strong interplay and drive. The saxes are both quite wonderful (as the overall piano work!), Freeman having the more soulful, strong and traditional soloing, in my opinion. Great tunes, mainly original ones. One of the best version ever heard of "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise".

Is there anybody who can tell me some Chico Freeman at this level?

[BFrank]

Chico's "Beyond the Rain" and "Destiny's Dance" are nice early-era albums.

A little harder to find is Cecil McBee's "Compassion" featuring Chico. Title cut is amazing!

[connoisseur series500]

Yes, Daddy Von is justifiably revered, but what about Chico the Son? (Now I'm going to use a colloquialism I can't stand ... ) — where are "the props" for Chico?

I know Chico for only a really great cd: The Pied Piper (Black Hawk BKH 50801 CD, 1984), one of the greatest -I think- "hard bop" records of the '80s. I bought it because Kenny Kirkland, Elvin Jones and Cecil McBee were part of the group. It's a great swinging date (other musicians: John Purcell, Mark Thompson), made by a great group, with strong interplay and drive. The saxes are both quite wonderful (as the overall piano work!), Freeman having the more soulful, strong and traditional soloing, in my opinion. Great tunes, mainly original ones. One of the best version ever heard of "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise".

Is there anybody who can tell me some Chico Freeman at this level?

Funny enough, this is my only Chico Freeman cd as well I've always liked it. I'm gonna spin it again for old time's sake.

Edited April 24, 2006 by connoisseur series500

[Late]

... and dig Chico's appearances on the Black Saint label. Some very fine playing there.

[BFrank]

... and don't forget the 2 albums by The Leaders - "Mudfoot" (Blackhawk) & "Out Here Like This" (Black Saint).

Arthur Blythe

Lester Bowie

Chico Freeman

Kirk Lightsey

Cecil McBee

Don Moye

[kh1958]

Tradition in Transition on the Elektra Musician label (from around 1982) is an early favorite of mine.

Diverging a bit from straight ahead jazz into jazz/world fusion, the more recent recording The Emissary is excellent.

A couple of years ago, I saw Chico Freeman with Geri Allen, Richard Davis, and Andrew Cyrille at Jazz Standard.

[JSngry]

I'vre always liked Chico, but seldom "love" him. His "inside" playing usually sounds kinda "un-natural" to me. The intent (and sincerity) is certainly there, but...

Truthfully, I've not heard his more recent work. So the above is based on his work up until the mid-80s or so.

The thing I have him on that I really like is Warriors, a Black Saint date co-led by him, Don Pullen, Fred hopkins, & Bobby Battle. That shit is off the hook!

Edited April 24, 2006 by JSngry

[JohnS]

A whole series of Chico albums on India Navigation is fine, but most are out of print.

This is the place to start imo. 'Spirit Sensitive' is a ballad album that takes some beating.

[paul secor]

I still have three of his early LPs in my collection - Morning Prayer (Trio), Beyond the Rain (Contemporary), and Spirit Sensitive (India Navigation). I picked up a couple of his Contemporary and Musician LPs after that, but didn't find much that interested me, and I haven't heard anything since then. I'll have to listen to one or more of the ones I've kept and see if there's still something there for me. I find that a thread like this is good because it gets me to listen anew, rather than relying on memories.

[relyles]

I have always enjoyed Freeman's playing. I first heard him on a 1982 Elextra Lp titled The Young Lions, which featured musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Jay Hoggard, Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell and others I can't remember. I think I really started enjoying Freeman from his India Navigation LPs, Kings of Mali and The Outside Within and then finally on the three Leaders recordings (someone above forgot about Unforseen Blessings - and I think there may have been one more live recording.) Finally, I have also enjoy the recordings with father and son Von & Chico playing together. The latest Chico Freeman reccording (other than live stuff) that I have heard is a 1994 date on Contemporary with Arthur Blythe titled Focus. Nothing monumental, but I do recall enjoying it.

[kh1958]

His last release, as far as I can find, was in 2002, Chico Freeman e Guataca, Oh By the Way.

Not as good as The Emissary, but still has some nice tracks on it.

The Emissary, on the Clarity label, is very well recorded.

[Late]

BFrank — if you like The Leaders (great band ... why was all the press given over to Courtney Pine in those years?), definitely check out Unforseen Blessings. (Tower online actually has it in stock!)

[BFrank]

BFrank — if you like The Leaders (great band ... why was all the press given over to Courtney Pine in those years?), definitely check out Unforseen Blessings. (Tower online actually has it in stock!)

Interesting. I've never seen this one. I'll keep an eye out for it.

OTOH, AMG doesn't seem to care for it: "... there is an unfinished quality to many of the selections, eight of which are under three minutes in length. Other than Lightsey's contributions, this effort is surprisingly forgettable."

[Hot Ptah]

"Peaceful Heart Gentle Spirit" and "Kings Of Mali" are two excellent Chico Freeman albums which have not yet been mentioned. The title track of "Peaceful..." is a really beautiful performance.

[Hot Ptah]

Chico played great on Jack DeJohnette's albums, "Tin Can Alley" and 'Inflation Blues".

I saw Jack live in early 1981 with Chico, John Purcell and Peter Warren, and they were smokin'. Chico played his heart out throughout the evening.

[ep1str0phy]

Of the Chico I've heard (at any length), The Outside Within is my favorite. There's a delicacy and power to the proceedings that a lot of modern post-bop lacks--a sense of 'mystery' that just magnifies the group energy. The sidemen are top notch, too--Hicks, McBee, DeJohnette. 'Search' is an all-time favorite of mine.

On the Leaders stuff--I've found a lot of it to be of relatively low-wattage, granted the capabilities of the ensemble. Not bad... just unextraordinary. I'll listen again--maybe I'll change my tune.

[Hot Ptah]

The Leaders' "Mudfoot" album is the most interesting, I think. The first song on the album is a high energy blues, with some fervent soloing.