Scott Hamilton & Friends: Concord
Probably the most popular jazz musician in the world now, tenor saxophonist Hamilton has settled into musical middle age with an authoritative mainstream style that, for decades, has shown little sign of change. Depending on your point of view, that's either a comfortable groove or a rut. There are signs on this new release that it's the latter, and that Hamilton is aware of the need for some kind of departure from the tenor-with-rhythm format; added are trombonist Joel Helleny, trumpeter Greg Gisbert and guitarist Duke Robillard. The music retains the reassurance of an old friendship where nothing much needs to be said - excellent musicians providing quality armchair jazz - but where's what critic Whitney Balliet once called "the sound of surprise"?
- Ray Comiskey
Eric Dolphy: The Illinois Concert (Blue Note)
Dolphy certainly had the sound of surprise. The late, great multi-reedman, controversial during and after his brief career, constantly stretched the boundaries of tonality to accommodate his ideas, in a process inimical to popularity but imaginatively rewarding. This 1963 University of Illinois concert recording, catches him in a quartet setting with a young Herbie Hancock, and fronting the college brass ensemble and big band in two rare exhibitions of his writing skills. He provides masterfully detailed examples of his bass clarinet on Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise and an affecting solo God Bless The Child. And, sounding like a Charlie Parker from the outer limits, he offers some great alto on Iron Man and the big band G.W.
- Ray Comiskey