SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE: Live 2007
SFJAZZ, 2007

MODERN JAZZ – For their fourth annual concert season, this modern jazz supergroup focused on the work of Thelonious Monk, presenting new octet arrangements of twelve less-familiar Monk tunes along with six original compositions. This was the last version of the band to feature co-leaders Joshua Redman and Bobby Hutcherson, and the first to include Dave Douglas on trumpet. The additional edge makes this set the Collective’s best release by miles. Every track is great!

Fo’s Picks: Disc 1 – 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 12 . . . Disc 2 – 3, 5, 7, 8

DISC 1 (Thelonious Monk)

1. 5:56 – ominous, tempo shifting tune performed with cool verve; great vibes
2. 5:38 – Monk’s theme song, chugs like a freight train, excellent drums & sax
3. 4:38 – Sweet, dusky ballad has a cool sound and a shuffling rhythm
4. 4:21 – perky sound, dense overlapped horn riffs, spinning bop piano
5. 3:29 – uptempo funky shuffle, playful rhythm, almost breathless sound
6. 8:02 – happy tune in ever-shifting time; forceful trumpet, trombone chatter
7. 5:09 – slow ballad: interesting arrangement – horns come in at odd times
8. 3:59 – sneaky little groove explodes, then a rollicking trombone feature
9. 7:00 – extended bass/drum intro, vibraphone solo builds off lopsided riff
10. 4:45 – relaxed, warm, gently shaded: vibe and trumpet trade off lead
11. 5:33 – chugging rhythm: tough bluesy stroll, sounds like they’re having fun
12. 5:02 – street-funky riffs and cute melody switch to fast & breezy bebop

DISC 2 (Originals, 5-7 are a single suite)

1. 14:08 – elusive: gentle waves become a steady rush, moaning tenor sax jumps & rolls, methodical alto sax as rhythm surges beneath
2. 10:31 – propulsive, thoughtfully optimistic, with busy underlying patterns, small fanfares; sweeping piano and agitated alto sax
3. 9:59 – tense, with subtle complexity: sax/piano hop & spin as drums rise
4. 9:22 – easygoing shuffle: sliding horns vs. dense clusters, relaxed trombone
5. 6:09 – edgy melodic riff, threatening beneath flowing piano & popping sax
6. 6:52 – nebulous intro, thrusting theme, overlapped horns; calm trumpet solo
7. 6:09 – quietly enigmatic intro, soaring theme; busy sax flutter
8. 13:43 – awesome drums: spinning theme bounces around the horn section, breezy vibe solo, quiet bass break, drums bust out in last 4 minutes

[ Fo ] 27-Jul-08