Surman, John / Free and Equal
Album: Free and Equal   Collection:Jazz
Artist:Surman, John   Added:Mar 2003
Label:Ecm Records (Jazz)  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2003-03-24 Pull Date: 2003-05-26 Charts: Jazz
Week Ending: May 25 Apr 13 Apr 6
Airplays: 1 2 1

Recent Airplay
1. May 23, 2003: Memory Select
Groundwork
3. Apr 05, 2003: Mais non peu-etre
Preamble
2. Apr 06, 2003: Sean's Show
Epilogue, Free and Equal

Album Review
Craig Matsumoto
Reviewed 2003-04-23
Pieces for classical-sounding brass, with Surman's jazzy sax soloing over it. Surman's got that "serious" ECM sound, more like an artsy movie soundtrack than a club-jazz blower.

Jack DeJohnette plays piano on many tracks, providing able background.

1- Brassy start, then soft and flowing
2*- Mystery & mild tension that builds. Nice and snaky.
3*- Big dramatic intro; peppy sax solo later.
4- Regal Camelot horns
5- Fast, spry chamber music
6- Slow/med, ominous
7- Calming midtempo
8*- Strong, loud, in 11/4 time. Quiet drum break segues into #9
9- Slow finale to #8; play 'em together

Track Listing
1. Preamble   5. Fire
2. Groundwork   6. Debased Line
3. Sea Change   7. In the Shadow
4. Back and Forth   8. Free and Equal
  9. Epilogue