Search - Sf Jazz Collective :: Sf Jazz Collective 2

The meaningless of superlatives

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 03/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With a running time of 75.30 and only 6 complete plays to listen to it, it's time to write a review to try and persuade the unconvinced that though it will take a lot more plays before it reveals all its secrets, this is a must have recording in a world where the phrase 'must have' is overused. With four John Coltrane tracks (1,2,6&7) and four original compositions from the ensemble this showcases both the collective an individual expertise of all 8 players, and the remarkable job that Gil Goldstein has done as an arranger for all 8 tracks. If you're familiar with the Coltrane tracks it would be invidious to try and compare these versions with the originals. What each provides is a reconstruction of the basic form by an octet who meld together to produce something which is faithful to the original and yet leads the composition off in new directions. All the tracks work well, but for me the one that stands out is also the longest "Africa" which clocks in at 14.04 and allows the theme to be developed fully. Of the ensemble written tracks Nicholas Peyton's "Scrambled Eggs" which starts off with what I can only describe as a 'scrunch' of brass with Payton (who is on absolutely scintilating form throughout the whole album) and Renee Rosnes playing a pivotal part in its development.Miguel Zenon's "2 and 2" gives a chance for some great interplay and some wonderful vibes playing from Bobby Hutcherson. If there is one aspect of the album that disappoints it's that there is not a more prominent part for Isaac Smith's wonderfully fluid trombone playing (however he's been replaced by Andre Hayward for the forthcoming tour) but otherwise this is a recording for which I run out superlatives.Two final thoughts - the album is 'live' and the performances must have been astounding. The best reason to buy it is that I doubt - even at this early stage of the year - that there'll be another fully rounded JAZZ album this year which will continue to unravel in so many layers."

Top-notch

Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 01/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The SF Jazz Collective continues to march on, this time focusing on John Coltrane. The opener, "Moment's Notice" is a barnstormer, followed by another Coltrane song, "Naima". Bobby Hutcherson's vibe solo is the centerpiece of the song. The lineup has a few changes -- Isaac Smith on trombone, Matt Penman on bass, and Eric Harland on drums are the new guys. Nicholas Payton penned "Scrambled Eggs", which as the name implies has some odd-sounding lines in it. It then settles into a 4/4 groove with Payton then Rosnes soloing. "Half Full" is a Redman composition, with a melody that could have fit into his "Mood Swings" CD. "2 and 2" is a wistful-sounding Zenon song, and he takes the first solo. As the song evolves, it ends with a drum solo over a two-note bass ostinato. "Crescent", a Coltrane song, is something of a let-down compared to the others. Coltrane's "Africa" picks things up, since it has a more memorable melody, and then a nice Redman solo. "Development" starts off a little silly, with the collective making vocal percussive noises. The initial melody is played with too much hesistation for my taste, although the song develops and ends with a more confident, assertive version of the melody. This is a very good CD, one of the best ones to come out in 2006. It's roughly equal in quality to the first SFJC CD, maybe the first one gets a few points for being first.

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