Eleventh Hour, The

Guitarist/composer John Moulder leads a good sounding quintet (sax, piano, bass, drums) out of Chicago. Neither avant guard, nor world, nor fusion, this is what most people think of as typical nightclub jazz: mostly up-tempo toe-tappers, tight ensemble playing, wall of sound rhythm, long improv solos by the melodic instruments. The record is good on the whole, but not trailblazing. Applause at end of each track plus occasionally after solos.

No FCC issues.

1 Fast. Seems built just to introduce the players. Solos are somewhat perfunctory. (5:59)
2 ** Mid-fast. Piano, guitar, soprano sax solos are melodic & good. Powerful drums. Despite the title, there’s no Africa here. (8:04)
3 Soft guitar solo is an optional introduction to the next track. (1:33)
4 * Good solos mixed with ensemble playing. Understated compared with #2. (7:28)
5 * Mid-tempo. Muddy, lo-fi guitar tone. Muscular tenor sax dominates second half. (12:24)
6 * Starts mellow, builds intensity. Showcase for guitar runs. Powerful piano. Quiet & mellow again to end. (11:36)
7 ** Begins slow & gentle. Just guitar & soft drums. Band enters, it gets loud & fast. (7:12)
8 Mid-slow. Loose, wandering solo by tenor sax accompanied by piano chords. (11:59)
9 Mid-tempo. Piano improv to start; fast, showy drum solo in the middle. Ends with manic, crescendo-accelerando "Free Bird" craziness. (8:16)