Search - Julius Hemphill :: Fat Man & Hard Blues

Great compositions and performances.

Douglas T Martin | Alpharetta, GA USA | 01/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording was the first after Julius Hemphill's split with the World Saxophone Quartet. Since this is a saxophone sextet it's likely that comparisons will be made between the two groups. Because Hemphill wrote many songs for the WSQ there are occasions where you hear similar riffs or changes; but both groups' members have distinct personalities and that makes a lot of difference.This version of the Sextet is composed of Julius Hemphill (composer, arranger, alto sax and flute), Marty Erhlich (soprano & alto saxes, flute), Carl Grubbs (soprano & alto), James Carter (tenor), Andrew White (tenor), and Sam Furnace (baritone & flute). With so many saxes and so many players doubling on instruments it's necessary to list the solos for each song.Most of the songs are premire recordings and come from various Hemphill projects for theater, dance, and Hemphill's own "saxophone opera" (there's no singing here - the horns are the voices on these pieces). "Otis' Groove" is an Otis Redding-type number sounding a little like "Dock of the Bay"; "Floppy" sounds like a swing number from the forties where the band changes from a swinging rhythm section into 6 soloists fighting for space - and then back. James Carter gets soulful on "Four Saints" as does Andrew White on "Anchorman". The band is as tight as a banjo string (there's no banjo here).The real treat on this recording is the remake of "The Hard Blues" which appeared on an earlier Hemphill release (recently re-released under the title "Reflections"). It's the blues - joyful, soulful, but occasionally complicated.If you liked the World Saxophone Quartet you owe it to yourself to check this out - not to mention the Sextet's followup "Five Chord Stud"."

V enjoyable Saxophone heaven !

ReverseBembe | UK | 06/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've had this one a while ; some of Hemphills finest post WSQ work, a master composer/arranger shows both the raw fervour and sophistication in his work. some of his great tunes like "Otis groove", "Flooppy" , "Fat man", "Anchor", Hard Blues" Hemphills arrangements enlarge these basic melodies bring out both the elemental and complex, the black american church, gospel, earthy blues, collective improv and textures of free jazz, the harmonic richness of an Ellingtonian sax section, I love the way the soloists and ensemble switch lead and support roles , improv and written music blending seamlessly. No other reviews ? no one else knows this music, what a shame , these Hemphill was a contemporary master definitely derserve a greater audience, this music is still creative + rewarding. An excellent disc worth many repeated listenings."