Rediscovery

JOHN McNEIL & BILL McHENRY: Rediscovery
Sunnyside, 2008

Trumpeter McNeil and saxophonist McHenry unearth lesser-known tunes from the 1940s and ‘50s for this set of cool jazz and bebop. Their chordless quartet arrangements (which owe much to the old Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker quartet) balance respectful homage with modern freedom. The band shows great energy and a willingness to take old sounds to entirely new places, and has lots going on under the surface.

Fo’s Picks: 3, 4, 5, 7

1. 1:37 – free-jazz introduction, like a little fanfare
2. 9:58 – cool classic lumbers along with walking bass, perks up for sax solo
3. 6:49 – bop tune, energetic & very modern over thick rhythm
4. 7:32 – walking bass into a cool slide: thoughtful solos keep a steady pace
5. 4:59 – bright, offbeat melody, chugging solo section; a nifty sound overall
6. 8:28 – Mulligan/Baker tune: sneaky shuffle with meandering solos
7. 6:27 – cheerful cool-bop: steady solos mask an almost manic undertone
8. 7:32 – 1920s ballad: a suspended feel; cool-toned solos over busy rhythm
9. 2:23 – snappy li’l strut with oddly detached solos
10. 6:36 – free-jazz: percolates and ruminates; influences from many eras

[ Fo ] 22-Jun-08