New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up 26th June 2020
This week I’ve been catching up on some of the deeper new releases that came out in June, and especially relishing the opportunity to revisit reissues of favourite recordings from Marion Brown and the New York Contemporary Five, both being choice examples of sixties fire music. We also have the prog-jazz of Tranceportation Vol. 2 featuring David Torn, the latest excursion from the Gianmarco Scaglia & Paul Wertico Quartet (this time with added vibes and electric guitar), Andy Fusco’s latest bop-tastic set from the heart (or should I say core) of the Big Apple, and singer Silje Nergaard’s ambitious eponymous double album.
Saxophonist Marion Brown was an important figure within the fire music scene in the sixties, who doesn't quite get his due these days; not so vociferously politicised as Archie Shepp, and certainly less terrifying than the skronk of Pharaoh Sanders, Brown nevertheless released some of the most engaging free jazz of the period, and nowhere more so than on Porto Novo, recorded in Holland in 1967. With an early appearance from madcap drummer par excellence, Han Bennink, this has long been a favourite of mine, so it’s most welcome to see it reissued on Ezzthetics, paired with Why Not, which is almost as good. Nicely remastered and with excellent notes.
Available Format: CD
New York Contemporary Five
Archie Shepp (tenor saxophone), Don Cherry (pocket cornet), John Tchicai (alto saxophone), Don Moore (double bass), J.C. Moses (drums)
Another historic reissue from Ezzthetics, the New York Contemporary Five group was an early snapshot of key figures of free jazz - Archie Shepp (tenor saxophone), John Tchicai (alto saxophone), Don Moore (double bass), J.C. Moses (drums), along with the more experienced Don Cherry (pocket cornet). Heavily indebted to Ornette Coleman’s innovations, the group strikes an exciting balance between structure and free-form. Propulsive stuff, with Shepp in particular taking no prisoners.
Available Format: CD
Bassist Gianmarco Scaglia and drummer Paul Wertico have been working together for over ten years, releasing a series of contrasting albums that always offer fresh delights. Wertico is best known for his work with Pat Metheny over the years, so it’s nice to hear him cutting loose a bit more on these projects. Here Scaglia and Wertico are joined by Mirko Pedrotti (vibes) and Simone Gubbiotti, which gives these sessions an enjoyably sunny West-Coast vibe, albeit with frequent moments of drama.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Remembrance
Andy Fusco (alto saxophone), Joe Magnarelli (trumpet), Peter Zak (piano), David Wong (bass), Jason Tiemann (drums)
Andy Fusco is a well-established altoist from New York, who has recently ramped up his time in the studio, releasing a series of excellent albums for Steeplechase. Clearly inspired by Charlie Parker and Jackie McLean, Fusco has a pleasingly agile tone, and showcases his full range on Remembrance. Joe Magnarelli’s trumpet is a particular highlight of this set, the clarity of his lines really cutting through.
Available Format: CD
Norwegian singer Silje Nergaard has been associated with some of her homeland’s finest musicians over the past three decades, especially Arve Henriksen and Tord Gustavsen, having the ability to convince in settings from straight jazz through to more pop-orientated projects. This new eponymous double album aims to present the full range of her talents, with the first disc focusing on acoustic settings, the second dealing in some Enya-inspired textures. Her sweet, near-childlike voice is enjoyable, although I found two discs' worth a slight stretch.
Available Format: 2 CDs
Matt Groom - Head of Jazz
