Search - Sam Rivers, Rivbea All-Star Orchestra :: Culmination

Culmination
Sam Rivers, Rivbea All-Star Orchestra
Culmination
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
For those who recall Inspiration, 1999's showcase for the densely layered big-band writing of Sam Rivers, the title of this disc tells the story. Culmination comprises seven tunes from the same 1998 session that produced ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Sam Rivers, Rivbea All-Star Orchestra
Title: Culmination
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Original Release Date: 5/16/2000
Release Date: 5/16/2000
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Avant Garde & Free Jazz, Modern Postbebop, Swing Jazz, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 743216831128, 074321683112

Synopsis

Amazon.com
For those who recall Inspiration, 1999's showcase for the densely layered big-band writing of Sam Rivers, the title of this disc tells the story. Culmination comprises seven tunes from the same 1998 session that produced Inspiration, again produced and mixed by saxophonist Steve Coleman, with the same all-star lineup--including saxists Greg Osby and Chico Freeman and trombonists Ray Anderson and Joseph Bowie. Culmination also draws from the same body of arrangements that the visionary Rivers has assembled since the late 1960s. So why does it sound brighter, less cluttered--more accessible--than its predecessor? It has to do with the pieces themselves. Inspiration dove further into the pools of complexity that nourish Rivers's imagination; as he explains, each of the CD's seven pieces runs about 50 minutes in performance, which forced him to edit them heavily for recording. But the compositions on Culmination are shorter by design and focus more on concise composition and compact solos. They appear at their intended lengths (ranging from six to thirteen-plus minutes) and tell their stories more cleanly and succinctly--reminding one how well Rivers has always balanced his wonderful abstractions with a straightforward lyricism, exemplified by his best-known composition, "Beatrice." The highlights of this album include the opening track, guaranteed to confuse those who bought the first album (being a barely altered version of that disc's opening track); "Bubbles," with Hamiet Bluiett's ebullient baritone taking the lead; and the title piece, the most enjoyable lesson in atonality you'll ever hear. Rivers, in his late 70s when he recorded these tunes, plays wizardly soprano and hurly-burly tenor solos throughout the disc, which offers an ideal introduction to his musical omniverse. --Neil Tesser
 

CD Reviews

Inspiration II?
Case Quarter | 06/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the open notes, this music will seem very familiar to those who have heard INspiration. The difference is the concise nature of the tracks. Many of the tracks here are under ten minutesThe two CDs show Rivers to be an awesome arranger and composer (maybe they won't rob him of a grammy this year-don't hold your breath). Hopefully one day we'll have some recordings available of these compositions the way Rivers intended, with extended lengths of 50+ minutes. UNtil then, lets savor what is available."
Lots of horns
Case Quarter | CT USA | 09/05/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)

"horns. lots of horns. i like lots of horns. reminds me of a jam session where the best of horn players show up.



the horn ensembles playing rhythmic choruses repeatedly gets to be a bit redundant, but the many solos make the recording. lots of energy."