Would someone who listens to one of these releases listen and enjoy the other? Can smooth and avant-garde be friends?
Sam Rivers, who just departed from us fairly recently, left us with one last gift, a recording of a reunion concert from May 2007 at Columbia University with old buddies Dave Holland/b and Barry Altshul/dr. The veteran of countless ensembles and Gillespie alumnus delivers a stellar uninterrupted two hour session, with the track markers being inserted “for ease of navigation only” as the liner notes dictate. Rivers hits the tenor, soprano, flute and even a Cecil Taylor styled piano throughout the marathon material, with moods ranging from a lovely ballad (“First Set Part 5’) to some fluttering flute (“Second Set Part 1”). Holland brings his bow on “First Set Part 4” and does some impressive work with Altshul on Parts 3 and 4 of the Second Set, with the symbiotic interplay being a joyful encounter throughout. Some guys can do this stuff, and others are just posers.
Dennis Angel, meanwhile, plays a sweet trumpet and flugelhorn on this collection of originals sans the Beatles track “Norwegian Wood” (which actually works!). The music, which includes Rumero Lubambo/g, Brian Dunne/dr, Will Bernard/g, Jason Miles/key as the main foundation, is easy on the ears jazz, with a bit of modern urban sounds on “From Bebop to Hip Hop.” A couple vocals by Rebecca Angel have a delicate joy to them, while the rest is as kick back and relax as the Rivers set is lean forward and pay attention.
Pi Recordings
Timeless Grooves Records