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Charlie Hunter
Charlie Hunter
Charlie Hunter
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (9) - Disc #1

With this eponymous effort, guitarist Charlie Hunter continues the minimalist studio experimentation that he and percussionist Leon Parker spun together on the 1999 album, Duo. This time, though, the pair has expanded the ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Charlie Hunter
Title: Charlie Hunter
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Blue Note Records
Original Release Date: 6/6/2000
Re-Release Date: 10/27/2006
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock
Styles: Acid Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Modern Postbebop, Bebop, Jam Bands, Jazz Jam Bands
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 724352545025, 0724352545056, 724352545056, 24352545056 0

Synopsis

Amazon.com
With this eponymous effort, guitarist Charlie Hunter continues the minimalist studio experimentation that he and percussionist Leon Parker spun together on the 1999 album, Duo. This time, though, the pair has expanded the concept to include a trio of percussionists. There's also Josh Roseman on trombone and Peter Apfelbaum on tenor saxophone on several tracks. The drum section is an excellent idea, which allows Parker to shine on conga on the opening pair of tunes, while Robert Perkins shakes a mean tambourine on the funky "Two for Bleu" (which also features a wild solo by Apfelbaum). The midtempo reggae number "Cloud Splitter" contains the best solo by Roseman, an Al Grey-like turn with the plunger on his 'bone. On "Al Green," Parker and Hunter simmer like a classic organ-guitar trio, evoking both the secular and the gospel spirit of the good Reverend, and on Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy," they head south with a tight Caribbean groove. The disc closes with a short, tender reading of Donny Hathaway's classic, "Someday We'll All Be Free." It's an appropriate piece, not only because of Hunter's ability to ring his dirty guitar like an electric piano, but because, like the late Hathaway, Hunter has the ability to take a sparse group with slick arrangements and make the ensemble sound larger than it is. --Mark Ruffin

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CD Reviews

Building an East Coast Machine
Chris Kelly | San Francisco, CA USA | 06/15/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This record is effervescent throughout, but putting it in context with Hunter's past makes it resonate all the more.After building a formidable and fun body of work and group of musicians here in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early to mid 90's, tragedy struck. Calder Spanier, an indispensable part of this emerging West Coast group, was killed in an auto accident. The psychic connection that this group had was lost, and Charlie may have sensed this.He then moved to New York and teamed up with percussionist Leon Parker. The recording that came from this first collaboration, Duo, was an infectious journey into both the playful and the brooding.Charlie was apparently willing to bring the sunny sounds of horns back into his space for this one, and the new guys are ready, talented and willing here. The extra layers of percussion work well with the horns, the new songs have solid arrangements and the usual fine genre-bending.Charlie's slight return to Dersu(from 1996's Ready, Set...Shango!) was a wise choice from the upbeat arrangement he and Parker crafted on their most recent tour.The record closes with a brief, tender reading of "Someday We'll All Be Free". This provides last remaining emotional component that makes the record complete. A few seconds after the last warm chord of "...Free", the battery of percussion players returns - Charlie continues work on his shiny new East Coast Machine.It would be unfair to expect the same sparks we heard from Charlie's last affair with horns, but this this first outing since then shows real promise."
Good Disc
Chris Kelly | 03/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had seen Charlie Hunter live a couple of times over the years, but this is the first of his CDs I've bought. The first time I heard it, I was a little disapoited, somehow. But, upon repeated listens, I've grown to really like this disc. I'm no music expert, so I can't tell you what's so good about it technically, but it's just a solid album that is pleasant to hear. If you are a fan, or have seen him live, and are thinking of buying this CD, I say "Go for it!""
Hunter ages well...
Nathan Cross | Bloomington, IN USA | 06/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"After the impressive but somewhat disappointing "duo" album, Hunter returns with his strongest effort to date! The album consists of more duo material, however this time it seems more refined and tighter, and the rest of the album is the return of horns to Charlie's music. These tracks are great, "Nothin' But Trouble" is a cooker to say the least. There is not one note wasted on this album by any participant, every solo, every note is right on and serves a purpose. Hunter especially is much more confident and full of ideas in his duo songs and solos on the other tunes. And to top of the album, Hunter's solo rendition of "Someday We'll All Be Free" is just beautiful. His playing is more graceful, better sounding, and more thoughtful than ever. Overall, this is the best I have heard Charlie yet!"