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Joe Harriott Quintet |
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Mike Osborne Trio/ Quintet Joe Harriott Quintet |
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| There can be little doubt that
jazz music in essence is an American art form. Throughout its history
there have been many practitioners, if not all innovators, then at
least individuals who have furthered its ever evolving characteristics.
The two British alto saxophonists under review were undoubtedly influenced
by Bird and Ornette, but also brought to the music a certain Britishness;
qualities that set them apart from the copyists and created for themselves
voices of distinction.
Much has been written recently about Joe Harriott (see Coda Issue #316) so long winded descriptions of his history are not required. This CD from 1967 is a fine example of him playing in a superb quintet that features his preferred rhythm section of Pat Smythe (piano), Coleridge Goode (bass) and Phil Seaman (drums), plus the relatively unknown bop trumpeter Stu Hamer. The program of eight pieces include two ballads - "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and "A Time for Love" - both of which capture Harriott's fiercely lyrical quality, the rest originals by himself, Dizzy Reece and Pat Smythe. Hamer's confident trumpet playing shines throughout. A most peculiar aspect of this recording is that it harkens back to a period predating Harriott's experiments with the avant garde (1960-64) and Indo-Jazz Fusions (1965-67), and shows his command of the language that Charlie Parker concocted. The recording is not of the highest quality, the sound being somewhat tinny, but all the music is captured clearly. One similarity between these alto players is a certain stridency in their approach, and in Mike Osborne's case - unwavering, giving his music an urgency even at slower tempos. This important reissue of two lps on one CD illustrates his music in two quite different settings. The first seven tunes are recorded live at the Peanuts Club in September 1974, an important London venue in this period, where this trio, completed by the incredible duo of Harry Miller (bass) and Louis Moholo (drums), performed on a regular basis. The music is as expected; loose, free-wheeling and clearly Ornette inspired, allowing the listener to experience the open minded adventure that existed at the time. The latter four, somewhat extended compositions (9:07 - 10:13), recorded in May 1977, have a more formal character, and feature the marvelous trumpet playing of Marc Charig, who furnishes its content with a brassy lyrical fluidity. The group is completed by guitarist Jeff Green, drummer Peter Nykyruj and once again the inimitable Harry Miller. Both of these reissues are documents that represent superior, if
somewhat underrated, British players, and it seems inconceivable
that they are not held in the same esteem as their American counterparts.
Or could it be they do not have counterparts! |
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