Search - Pete La Roca :: Turkish Women at the Bath

Interesting disk

N M McBride | New Zealand | 11/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who is interested in what John Gilmore did away from Sun Ra will enjoy this album. His tenor playing sounds very captivating after a few listens, but strangely awkward initially. In other words, play it several times and don't believe the Penguin Jazz CD guide review. Chick Corea's piano playing is so "haunting" that at on at least two pieces it sounds like the soundtrack to the horrow classic, Phantasm. Pete La Roca's drumming also contributes to the pleasing errie feel of this album. The album doesn't sound quite like any other hard-bop jazz album I have heard, it is therefore recommended."

Beautiful discovery

Troy Collins | Lancaster, PA United States | 08/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Turkish Women At The Bath" is a wonderful rediscovery. Drummer Pete La Roca made only three albums as a leader during his heyday in the 1960's and now this long forgotten session is available once again. Although best known for his Blue Note debut "Basra" in 1965, La Roca recorded two albums for Douglas Recordings in 1967, the previously released "Bliss!" and this obscure date. This session is a fascinating slice of late-60's modally influenced jazz featuring an especially welcome solo spot from John Gilmore, who was rarely able to record outside of Sun Ra's grasp.



Hearing Gilmore free of the Arkestra is reason alone for celebration, but to combine that event with an early appearance by Chick Corea elevates the session well beyond mere historical curiosity. Gilmore is more restrained here than with his regular employer, but it is a delight to hear him elucidate with a sense of subtlety that was sometimes lost in the ecstatic throes of the Arkestra. Gilmore's resplendent tone is in full force here, like an otherworldy cousin of Paul Gonsalves, he brings an authoritatively timeless air to these pieces. Corea's cascades of precise linearity contrast nicely with Booker's rock solid bass vamping and La Roca's splashy cymbal work. "Bliss" leaves Gilmore out of the mix and highlights Corea's gorgeous descending melody.



Considering the albums' 1967 vintage, the session never sounds dated, despite the typical modal vibe, so much the rage at the time. The only real complaint is the sound of the recording. A studio recording, it still has a distant quality in regards to the placement of the drums and piano. During La Roca's solos he sounds like he is out in the wings, while Gilmore sounds front and center. This is a minor flaw however, as the band's performance more than makes up for this lack of fidelity. Considering it was La Roca's last record before deciding to take a long hiatus from music to become a lawyer before his eventual come-back, we are fortunate to have it, despite its mere half hour duration."

Obscure but brilliant

Peter E. Johansen | 03/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't found many albums of this level of quality on this label (32 Jazz). This is somewhat obscure and I noticed Allmusic doesn't even review this, which is unfortunate since it's really worth listening to. Turkish Women At the Bath is high on my list of favorite obscure jazz albums. One can perhaps hear the fusion that Chick Corea was later to become famous for just below the surface. And this is one of the few recordings John Gilmore did away from Sun Ra, and it is easy to see here (perhaps easier than in many of the more "out" Sun Ra recordings) why he is considered by many to be one the greatest tenor players ever (of course the Sun Ra recording are great as well). And Peter La Roca, who was the original drummer of the classic John Coltrane quartet, plays with as much creativity and passion as a Elvin Jones or Max Roach. At just over a half an hour this CD is a concise and eloquent musical statement that I've come back to many times and effortlessly, or so it seems, rises above just another post-bop (or whatever it is) session."