Two Record Reviews:
The Music of Gregg Hill
Michael Dease: City Life
The prolific trombone and baritone saxophone master Michael Dease, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor of Jazz Trombone at Michigan State University, has just released his third album of music by composer Gregg Hill. City Life: Music of Gregg Hill is a double one: on the first CD he leads a trio in tandem with bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, with the voice of his daughter Brooklyn on two tracks; on the second they are joined by tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover and pianist Geoffrey Keezer, with MSU alumnus Jared Beckstead-Craan subbing on bass on two tunes. While most of the music is by Hill, Dease included two of his own compositions, two by J.J. Johnson and one each by Gregory Tardy, Sharel Cassidy, and Emily Remler.
The trio side provides a cornucopia of inventive interplay between three adventurous traditionalists in a somewhat unusual context. Dease plays with ease through changes but as the music heats up, he does not refrain from taking it out into extended technique land. The three musicians vary tempos and textures, with Watts often using brushes at high tempos, avoiding standard ringing cymbals. The choice of tunes provides emotional, thematic, and melodic variety and the addition of Brooklyn Dease’s wordless clear voice blending sweetly with her father’s horn on two versions of Tardy’s “Movie Theme.” One wonders if Dease was inspired by the late German trombone virtuoso Albert Mangelsdorff who recorded two unforgettable albums with the same trio instrumentation in the 1970’s, The Wide Point and Trilogue.
The quintet CD, with its more conventional instrumental lineup, seemingly promises a less adventurous experience but Hill’s thematically and rhythmically shifting compositions together with the audacious instincts of all members of the quintet belie such expectations. The textures are denser here but there are continuities with the first recital. The wonderous team of Oh and Watts continues its propulsive inventions and Dease, who seems to have unlimited instrumental resources, continues to improvise with an exiting abandon that constantly surprises the listener.
Almost two hours of music, with eighteen compositions, may seem somewhat daunting, but while one can listen to the two CD’s separately—and I for one find the trio more to my taste—there is much to be said for immersing oneself in the whole album. This is music beyond category, firmly rooted in the traditional post-bop of our times but deliciously flavored by more adventurous accents.
Dave Sharp: Catalyst
The new recording by bassist, synthesizer player and band leader Dave Sharp is a fascinating musical journey through multifarious musical styles. Catalyst: The Music of Gregg Hill is also one of the many recent recordings of music written by prolific composer Gregg Hill. All approaches to Hill’s compositions, including offerings by Rodney Whitaker, Randy Napoleon, and Michael Dease, are intriguing, but Catalyst must be singled out for its instrumentation and musical genius of arranger-guitarist-synthesizer artist, Elden Kelly. Kelly is Gregg Hill’s musical transcriptionist. This presents Kelly with a deep understanding of Gregg Hill’s intricate harmonies, rhythms and changing time signatures.
The disc opens with “Traveling With Gregg,” an appropriate metaphor for the entire album. Quickly, the piece invites you to explore the artistry of the ensemble: violinist Henrik Karapetyan, oud player Igor Houwat, percussionist Mike List along with Sharp and Kelly. We could be traveling across the vast Eurasian sub-continent. It is energetic, rhapsodic, and hypnotic. The band gels into a spirited drone while individuals send a spark of surprise into the mix – not unlike traveling in fascinating foreign lands.
“Rue De Royal” follows. This selection was written by Gregg Hill in honor of his beloved New Orleans. Yet, in Kelly’s psyche, it takes on a ‘jazz manouche’ touch thanks to his nimble fingers and Karapetyan’s Hungarian-inflected violin strokes.
For another diversion, the group ventures into prog-rock territory with “13th Century Lion.” For this reviewer, I was transported back to my days of getting lost in the music of John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra. I must admit, I enjoyed the trip.
Our next destination is “Cidade” in Brazil. The song was first titled “City Life” but arranger Kelly took liberties with it — reimagining it as sensuous yet swinging chamber music. It begins with a lovely lope and then leans into forays of improvisation that captivate the intellect. I might not be surprised if this song turns up in a film score — it’s that dramatic.
The band swings on “Duck’s Night Out.” There is more “jazz manouche” feel here, with bounce, vigor and humor. I could imagine this as music for creative and colorful animation.
The title tune, “Catalyst,” has a true spark to it, not unlike a scientific reaction or a building fire. I enjoy listening to music when cooking — and “Catalyst” kept all the pots hot!
More drama ensues with “Savana,” an enchanting feature for the masterful musicians. The melodies that weave in and out of the basic chords are sinuous, powerful, entrancing and take you to an inspirational crescendo. Weaving and waving applies to the “Catalyst” conclusion: “The Stray Moonduck.” Here improvisation meets whimsy with undulating rhythm and out-of-this world musical ad-libs.
Catalyst: The Music of Gregg Hill on Cold Plunge Records is a thoroughly enjoyable musical journey conducted by bassist Dave Sharp, violinist Henrik Karapetyan, oud player Igor Houwat, guitarist and arranger Elden Kelly, and percussionist Mike List. Let them take you new places or back to joyful memories. It’s all good.