Jazz is not dead, and neither is this blog.

Nope, I'm still out here...I've just been waiting for the right moment to stage my triumphant return to blogging. Is this it? Or will this just be a New Year's Resolution gone wrong? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, I'm listening to Tony Williams' Spring, which sounds pretty darn brilliant. Wayne Shorter AND Sam Rivers? Almost too good to be true. The tunes are very loose and free, allowing for some really expressive playing by all involved. "From Before" is a personal favorite, with its ominous opening that ultimately leads into some melancholy yet adventurous piano playing from Herbie Hancock. Tony of course sounds great as always, particularly on his solo piece "Echo" which showcases his crisp sound and endless reservoir of ideas. He understands space, dynamics, and structure in a way that most drummers just don't. Rounding out the superb quintet is Gary Peacock on bass. I always particularly appreciate hearing Herbie in a free-ish setting like this where he really gets to throw out the rulebook. It's something he doesn't do as often on his own records, and I love it. Check out Sam Rivers' Contours for some similarly great work from him (and Sam, of course).

More to come, I promise...! :)

Bobby Hutcherson - Medina

This is my favorite jazz recording. Actually, it was originally two separate sessions: the CD reissue of Medina includes another wonderful album called Spiral from the same period and with the same killer line-up: Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, Harold Land on tenor sax and flute, Stanley Cowell on piano, Reggie Johnson on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums.

For about a year this CD didn't leave my player at all. For me, it's the perfect combination of incredible musicianship, innovative compositions, and emotion. This band clearly played a lot together and they're communicating on a level that I can only compare to Miles Davis' band from the 60s with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. Not that it sounds anything like that group, but the same spirit of adventure is there. As I mentioned, the compositions are excellent and the band takes liberties with them, finding freedom within the structure.

In my opinion, this album contains some of Hutcherson & Land's best work on record. Harold Land's burning tenor solo on the title track "Medina" is alone worth the price of admission. Not to mention the creative, forward-looking playing of Stanley Cowell and the fluid yet solid drumming of the great Joe Chambers. Joe is a gifted composer and contributes the incredible title track and three others: "Ungano," "Spiral," and "Ruth," one of the catchiest tunes I've heard in 11/4! Other highlights are Cowell's "Wedding March," Hutcherson's "Avis" and the stunningly beautiful "Visions," and Land's quirky and brilliant "Poor People's March."

Like all great recordings, this one is out of print (shame on you, Blue Note!) and the CD now fetches collector's prices. But don't hesitate to pick it up if you find it!