RAVI COLTRANE: Spirit Fiction
Blue Note, 2012

MODERN JAZZ – Saxophonist Coltrane (son of John) fronts two bands here, a quartet and a quintet, each bursting with A-list jazz talent. The music has a freewheeling openness and a shadowy tone, with everyone pulling in the same direction but finding their own ways to get there. Joe Lovano sits in for 9 & 10. Very fine, rewarding listening.

Ravi Coltrane : tenor & soprano sax

BAND ONE (1,3,4,6,7,11)
Luis Perdomo : piano
Drew Gress : bass
E.J. Strickland : drums

BAND TWO (2,5,8,9,10)
Ralph Alessi : trumpet
Geri Allen : piano
James Genus : bass
Eric Harland : drums

All tracks excellent! Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

1. 5:04 – scattered band comes together gradually, hops & pops with freedom
2. 7:30 – dusky, striding feel with sax rolling over active, shifting rhythm
3. 2:28 – dark rhythmic sketch, really fine quartet interplay, reaches out
4. 6:47 – slow ballad, quite lovely; subdued sax, long bass solo, aching piano
5. 6:33 – open sax/trumpet intro, thoughtful quintet drive, great horn dialogue
6. 2:21 – drum/sax duet: big-city bustle with good rapport
7. 4:03 – free-sounding quartet: twisting, intertwining lines anchored by drums
8. 6:50 – a slow mope, rises gently: liquid horn/piano interplay, quiet bass
9. 7:26 – Monkish odd-bop, three horns and stuttering rhythm, solos stretch
10. 4:12 – unusual trio: two saxes + piano, moody meanderings in open space
11. 5:43 – shadowy sound, questioning soprano sax melody, perks up later

[ Fo ] - July 2012