Suitcase

MODERN JAZZ. Bassist, composer and leader Jeff Johnson has recorded a selection of his works mostly from the 70s & 80s. The ensemble features Hans Teuber on multiple saxes, bass clarinet, and alto flute. Add bass and drums.

All instrumental. No FCC issues.

1 * Starts slow, gains to mid-tempo. Broken pieces glued together, but it still works. Very loose & improvisational. A few notes on flute, then it’s mostly bass clarinet. (2:40)
2 * Mid-tempo. Opens with funky rock groove on bass & drums, then enters a cool, sophisticated, West Coast melody on tenor sax. Pleasant, easy to listen to. (7:43)
3 Very slow, meditative. A deep sinister bass clarinet leads much of the way. (5:29)
4 ** Mid-tempo. A fairly straight-up, jazzy piece. Bass steps out in front to lead most of first half. Tenor sax leads most of the second half with a classic hard-bop feel. (7:04)
5 Slow. Very mellow. So unassuming it could be background music in a restaurant. (5:29)
6 * Slow. Intriguing drums open. Breathy, Getz-like sax leads. Nice bass solo. (6:31)
7 ** Very fast. Strarts with drums & electric bass. Then alto sax & piano exchange fast riffs. Very scattered, broken. Challenging piece to listen to, but rewarding. (6:37)
8 Very slow. A too prominent 2/4 cadence on snare drum. Sad, gentle, romantic melody played mostly on electric bass, some on alto sax. Fades to quiet ~10s before end. (8:14)
9 ** Mid-tempo with some swing. A snappy drum beat, a funky bass line, and an Africa-inspired melody on alto flute. (3:54)