Big Lift, The

Jazz | Oct 2011

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2011-10-30
DARREN JOHNSTON’S GONE TO CHICAGO: The Big Lift
Porto Franco, 2011

AVANT-MODERN – San Francisco trumpeter teams up with Chicago musicians for an intriguing quintet set. Johnston rarely comes across as the leader; this has more of a collective sound. His reserved horn approach pairs well with edgy trombonist Jeb Bishop, interlacing and diverging against fluid bass and drums, while Jason Adasiewicz’s distinctively dreamy vibraphone gives several tracks an illusory feel.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 4, 8

1. 9:38 – lopsided walk, lumpy rhythm: trumpet jabs, trombone & vibes ponder
2. 5:23 – quiet, spare and easygoing: horns drift lazily over amorphous rhythm
3. 5:20 – angry trombone, fast rhythm; elastic free bass, questioning trumpet
4. 9:13 – tight duet horn interplay, then a low groove; cool vibes & drum solos
5. 3:50 – trilling/buzzy trumpet against slouching band; vibes slip & slide
6. 4:00 – happy but weird bounce; thumping drum solo, unsteady tempo
7. 8:11 – very slow: squeaky bass & introspective trumpet, becomes a stroll
8. 6:16 – Duke Ellington crawl falls apart: love the broken-down percussion

[ Fo ] - October 2011

Recent airplay

Black And Tan Fantasy
Pumping IronDec 20, 2018
The Big Lift
No Cover, No MinimumAug 09, 2013
Glass Ceiling, Paper Floor
RebopDec 27, 2011
The Big Lift
Memory SelectDec 23, 2011
Black And Tan Fantasy
RebopDec 13, 2011
Black And Tan Fantasy
Music CasseroleDec 10, 2011

Charting

2011-10-30 — 2012-01-01 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jan 1 1
Dec 25 1
Dec 18 1
Dec 11 2
Dec 4 1
Nov 20 1
Nov 13 2
Nov 6 1

Track listing

1. The Big Lift
2. Cut
3. Rubber Bullets
4. Glass Ceiling, Paper Floor
5. Love Call
6. Two Ways Of Running
7. The Rock Quarry
8. Black And Tan Fantasy