Life In This World

MAINSTREAM JAZZ. Will Calhoun, drummer in the hard-rock group Living Color (late 80s – early 90s), shows off his jazz training on this album containing some standards and some originals. A multitude of credited musicians form up into various small groups (mostly 2s, 3s, 4s). Will’s drumming is prominent & excellent. Lead is usually either Donald Harrison’s alto sax or Wallace Roney’s trumpet. Marc Cary plays keys throughout. Guest bassists, percussionists, etc fill in.

All instrumental (except #12). No FCC issues.

1 ** Fast. Call and response between muted trumpet & electric bass. Tinkling piano, spacey synth, furious drumming. (4:12)
2 ** Very fast. Classic acoustic piano, bass, drums trio. Very energetic and lively. (5:51)
3 * Fast. Bass solo starts. Joyous alto sax leads most of the way. Piano, bass, drums accompany. (7:09)
4 Mid-tempo. Straightforward take of a Cole Porter song on piano. Not much to it. (6:19)
5 * Mid-tempo. Slightly upbeat, slightly swinging interpretation of Coltrane’s slow ballad. Alto sax gives it a lighter, brighter tone than original. African percussion adds an interesting layer. (7:09)
6 * Fast. Same trio as #2. Competent rendering of Monk classic; nothing especially new. (5:15)
7 Mid-fast. Mash up: Africa rhythm, melody on trumpet, bluesy piano, funky electric bass. (8:12)
8 Mid-fast. Just acoustic piano and drums. Joyous and catchy. (8:23)
9 * Fast. Alto sax & piano share this Wayne Shorter composition. Samples of “Bye Bye Blackbird” appear. Drums are more restrained than on most tracks. Catchy & happy. (8:02)
10 * Fast. Big-ensemble sound with trumpet, keys, bass, drums, lots of electronics. Deep & dark in a late Miles Davis manner. A wild ride. (2:34)
11 * Mid-fast. Singable melody on alto sax; snappy drums & piano; the incomparable Ron Carter on upright bass. (4:34)
12 Slow. Mellow love song. Neither the lyrics nor Will’s singing are particularly good. (3:10)