02/09/08
ECM
DEWEY REDMAN/Struggle Continues: In his only date as a leader on ECM, this 1982 date making it’s cd debut shows it self up to be some pretty timeless work. A progressive cat that had a lyrical side as well, he’s joined here by an interesting collection of cats at various stages of their careers. A set of mostly originals, it’s something of a departure from the other sets he did for the label as a sideman or a co-leader, but it’s on the ball with some hot improv work that stands the test of time. Smoking stuff that’s helps present a well rounded picture of his hot blowing memory.
BENNIE MAUPIN/Jewel in the Lotus: Fresh from “Bitches Brew” and “Headhunters” in one of ECM’s earliest releases, Maupin goes all introspective and improv taking it down several notches from where he had been coming from and charting a path that was well ahead of the curve. It could even serve as a leading light for today’s meditation music. At a time when jazz was being treated like the industry’s bastard step child, jazzbos were free to sonically roam with the blinders off. Maupin made the most of that freedom with a date that certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve ever wanted to take a journey to the center of your mind and you wanted a reliable Sherpa….
ENRICO RAVA-STEFANO BOLLANI/Third Man: Italy’s best piano/trumpet jazz duo simply turns on the tape and let’s the great music fly. No matter where they pull the material from, it zips along with a special verve and style that makes this an intimate treat. Nothing here other than a fast ball down the middle with plenty of heat behind it.
NIK BARTSCH’S RONIN/Holon: The spiritual grandchild of early ECM dates, this stuff isn’t exactly jazz, but where else are you going to put I?. Following it’s own muse much like “Stoa” did the first time around, Bartsch is a leader for the millennium and knows his way around the outer edges of jazz. Not exactly progressive, not exactly funk but a kissing cousin to all and a ear opening time throughout. Tasty stuff that charts a new course.
UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES
U2/Joshua Tree: It look s like a spiffy version of a deluxe edition but it has a higher octane quotient than a regular entry in the series. Looks like someone wants to keep a certain band and manager happy in the age of aging superstar acts bolting for greener pastures? The groundbreaking album is remastered and presented in grand form and the bonus material includes almost everything except their version of “Daydream Believer”. Certainly a double album repack that sets certain new standards in the format, this presents the band in fine light for new and old fans. Grand albums can never be made to look and sound as regally enough as they should but this does a fine job.
Volume 31/Number 101
February 9, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
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Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record