Universal Sounds
Jazz
| Feb 2011
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2011-02-20
Reviewed 2011-02-20
ODEAN POPE: Universal Sounds
Porter, 2011
AVANT-GARDE – With two saxes, three drummers(!) and bass, this new group from Philly titan Odean Pope (best known in recent years for his saxophone choir) can sound like a trio on steroids or a larger group stripped bare. The first half is hard-hitting, with a vaguely afrocentric air that can get raw and intense in the solos, but not in an abrasive or antagonistic way. The second half is calmer overall, maybe more artsy and explorative.
Odean Pope : tenor saxophone
Marshall Allen : alto sax, EWI
Lee Smith : bass
Warren Smith, Craig McIver, Jim Hamilton: drums & percussion
Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 4, 5
1. 5:44 – tight sax spirals, abstract vocalizing, resolves to an intense drum circle
2. 3:20 – rough Africanized melody drops into catchy (but quiet) bass solo
3. 12:54 – uptempo improv: drums really go at it as saxes scribble: tenor sax is cerebral, but alto goes primal; intricate bass & drum solos, big finish
4. 5:49 – slow, pensive sax in loose, open atmosphere w/chimes; fine bass solo
5. 4:21 – very cool: just bass riffing over quiet drums, no horns
6. 8:05 – electronic tones and xylophone drift like jellyfish, spin in mad orbits
7. 7:55 – jazzy stroll, relatively straightforward and relaxed but well off-center
8. 7:01 – several FCC violations (“bullshit”) … this is a variation of track #1
[ Fo ] 02/20/11
Porter, 2011
AVANT-GARDE – With two saxes, three drummers(!) and bass, this new group from Philly titan Odean Pope (best known in recent years for his saxophone choir) can sound like a trio on steroids or a larger group stripped bare. The first half is hard-hitting, with a vaguely afrocentric air that can get raw and intense in the solos, but not in an abrasive or antagonistic way. The second half is calmer overall, maybe more artsy and explorative.
Odean Pope : tenor saxophone
Marshall Allen : alto sax, EWI
Lee Smith : bass
Warren Smith, Craig McIver, Jim Hamilton: drums & percussion
Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 4, 5
1. 5:44 – tight sax spirals, abstract vocalizing, resolves to an intense drum circle
2. 3:20 – rough Africanized melody drops into catchy (but quiet) bass solo
3. 12:54 – uptempo improv: drums really go at it as saxes scribble: tenor sax is cerebral, but alto goes primal; intricate bass & drum solos, big finish
4. 5:49 – slow, pensive sax in loose, open atmosphere w/chimes; fine bass solo
5. 4:21 – very cool: just bass riffing over quiet drums, no horns
6. 8:05 – electronic tones and xylophone drift like jellyfish, spin in mad orbits
7. 7:55 – jazzy stroll, relatively straightforward and relaxed but well off-center
8. 7:01 – several FCC violations (“bullshit”) … this is a variation of track #1
[ Fo ] 02/20/11
Recent airplay
Go Figure
No Cover, No Minimum — Aug 19, 2011
Go Figure
Music Casserole — Mar 26, 2011
Blues
No Cover, No Minimum — Mar 18, 2011
Go Figure
Music Casserole — Feb 26, 2011
She Smiled Again
No Cover, No Minimum — Feb 25, 2011
Custody Of The American Spirit
Orangeasm — Feb 24, 2011
Charting
2011-02-20 — 2011-04-24
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Mar 27 | 1 |
| Mar 20 | 1 |
| Feb 27 | 3 |
Track listing
| 1. | Custody Of The American Spirit | ||
| 2. | Mwalimu | ||
| 3. | The Binder | ||
| 4. | She Smiled Again | ||
| 5. | Go Figure | ||
| 6. | The Track | ||
| 7. | Blues | ||
| 8. | Custody Of The American Spirit (Bullshit Version) |