Monday, March 8, 2021

(1987) Mal, Dance and Soul ****

 


With: Mal Waldron (piano), Ed Schuller (bass), John Betsch (drums), Jim Pepper (tenor sax on 5,7,8,9)
Record date: November 25, 1987


In 1987 Enja frontman and producer Horst Weber decided to create a new label: Tutu, named for Miles Davis’ classic album from that decade. Weber and Waldron knew each other for quite a while, but it was 8 years ago Mal made his last record for him. Now Mal had the honor to make the first record for this great new jazz label. ‘Mal, Dance and Soul’ is not strictly a trio album. There are four tracks (on the cd version) that has the great Jim Pepper playing tenor saxophone. The rhythm section consists of Ed Schuller and John Betsch with whom Mal would play quite regularly. Schuller, son of Gunther Schuller, appeared next to Mal on several Tutu albums with Jim Pepper and Nicolas Simion. He has been quite active recording with both known and more unknown jazz artists, mostly in the European jazz scene. John Betsch appeared on several Tutu releases with Mal but also on some of his works for Alfa and Timeless. Betsch was a beloved drummer in the free and spiritual jazz scene making his own appearance for the fantastic Strata East label but also playing with the likes of Kalaparusha, Henry Threadgill and own of my other favorites: Abdullah Ibrahim.

This first Tutu release is pretty good. Mal is in excellent form, so are his bandmates. The music is creative and Mal is playing mostly new material. The opener ‘Dancing on the Flames’ is downright funky with a nice overall swing feeling. Songs like ‘A Bow To The Classics’ (which really is jazzy as hell) and ‘Little One’ have a nice subtlety over them and it’s Schuller that really shines next to Mal with his playful bass playing. ‘Little One’ really seams to be based on Mal’s own Fire Waltz. It’s pretty much a variation on it. ‘Soul Mates’ is the first track that has Jim Pepper playing tenor saxophone. It’s a duo recording and yup, the chemistry is definitely there. Mal made some very, very good duo records with saxophonists. Just like with singers his timing and warm accompaniment just really works out in a duet. Pepper is one underrated saxophone player. He has an astonishing technique, could play really fast and beautifully slow. He could play soft, almost smooth but also blow your ears off. And he has one hell of an overflow that he uses only sparsely. But when he does, it always feels right.

The album also contains an excellent version of the Mal classic ‘Blood and Guts’. Mal plays it a few notes higher and it misses that crazy left hand riddle but the interplay with both Betsch and Schuller is great. Mal only solo’s with one hand sometimes as the backing is strong enough. Also great is Betsch’ soloing here. What’s next is what you miss if you have this only on vinyl. Three more tracks in quartet form with Jim Pepper on tenor saxophone. Great tracks, absolutely worth it.

I’m a real vinyl head but with the Tutu releases it really pays of buying the cd versions as they contain bonus material. And with bonus material I do not mean false starts or studio chatter. On this one for example you get three extra tracks with Jim Pepper. New tracks, not even alternate takes. And you really do not want to miss them, believe me. If you happen to find this disc, buy without hesitation. Nothing groundbreaking but a nice example of Mal’s trio music at the end of the ’80’s and also the first quartet recordings with saxophonist Jim Pepper. Mal did made better recordings for Tutu but this one is highly enjoyable (and those others just really kick ass). The cd contains some nice liner notes as well that do not tell the same freakin story again about Mal playing with Billie Holiday blablablabla. Some actual background information on the label and the music.

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