Perseverance

PHIL RANELIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE: Perseverance
Wide Hive, 2011

MODERN BOP – Trombonist Ranelin has put together an interesting multigenerational band for this set, with an emphasis on rhythm that gives it a global viewpoint. They call on Africa, the Caribbean and the near east as conguero Big Black and bassist Henry Franklin lay down tasty grooves under Ranelin’s eccentric, groaning solos. Some tracks feel unfocused to me, but when it clicks there’s a lot to like. And saxophonist Kamasi Washington really needs to get more exposure.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 4, 5, 8, 10

1. 10:45 – exotic spiritual groove: delicately aching piano, probing sax & trombone
2. 4:38 – cute bouncy melody: rides on a nice bed of percussion, cool bass solo
3. 4:09 – warm, lazy breeze with a samba touch; melody derived from a standard
4. 5:14 – cool Spanish/north African riff: trombone solo stretches and warbles
5. 9:58 – nice percussion intro, solid groove; long trombone tones & spirited sax
6. 5:58 – relaxed tune: flute/trombone trade off, very nice bass work here
7. 6:49 – exotic hardbop: trombone roams, but hot sax tunnels forward
8. 6:12 – straightahead groove, good percussion, bright sax/piano/drum solos
9. 3:42 – straight-up swinger, glides as trombone digs up the corners; drum solo
10. 9:58 – spiritual sound, philosophical trombone/clarinet over Africanized groove

[ Fo ] 04/17/11