Ba(Sh)

CLARK SOMMERS: Ba(SH)
Origin, 2013

POSTBOP – Chicago bassist Sommers leads a bold trio with sax & drums through a mostly-original program of dusky, ponderous modern tunes. Dana Hall’s drumming really charges the group, while Geof Bradfield’s masterful reed playing will get your head nodding along. Sommers guides it all with a steady, melodic approach. Nice!

Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10

1. 5:17 – rumbling intro, sax muses… slips into lopsided stroll, more rumbling
2. 6:33 – relaxed, low-key: mopey sax, melodic bass solo, kicks up in 2nd half
3. 7:56 – drum solo intro; falls into a catchy rolling groove, sax pulls outward
4. 6:13 – hopping sax shadowed by drums; jogs briskly, bass/drums trade off
5. 5:05 – very cool sound, laid-back and melodic with soprano sax
6. 5:30 – elusive, twisty tune: others follow as sax draws long looping lines
7. 8:25 – low, easygoing: drums pull lyrical sax melody into edgier territory
8. 2:59 – calm freeform trio with bass clarinet, energy rises and falls away
9. 7:00 – relaxed, appealing melody with gentle hand drumming, tasty sax
10. 6:47 – Monk tune lopes gently along, playful rhythm & oblique bass

[ Fo ] - 29 September 2013