Record date: July 12 & 13, 1990
The early ’90’s weren’t Mal’s most productive years as one compares it to the beginning of the ’70’s or the end of the ’80’s. Mal was getting older of course but in the mid nineties he still produced around 6 albums a year. In 1990 there were only two: the trio record ‘Spring in Prague’ and another reunion with Steve Lacy. Now, these guys really knew how to select some compositions. For ‘Hot House’ they selected some of the nicest compositions by some of jazz’ greatest and most innovative musicians. There’s some Herbie Nichols, a hint of Monk, a little bit of Powell but also some Duke and even a little Sydney Bechet. All of course figures that inspired both men.
‘House Party Starting’ was written by one of those underrated jazz musicians and composer’s: Herbie Nichols. Lacy had made multiple albums to honor the great pianist. Mal wrote his classic ‘Hurray for Herbie’ for him. On this occasion they’ve got the opportunity to stretch out on it and they manage so fine. They exactly capture the playfulness of Nichol’s composition and also it’s unpredictability. Composition’s like Monk’s ‘Friday the 13th’ and Lacy’s own Retreat capture their more edgy and advanced interplay, while Bud Powell’s I’ll Keep Loving you is just tear jerking beautiful. And so is Mal’s original and solo statement: Mistral Breeze. As always Steve get’s the best out of Mal and vice versa. Mal’s solo’s are creative, inventive and thoughtful. A little less based on repetitveiness and a little more on the blues. Steve plays pretty subdued here in the sense that he doesn’t make use of his wide pattern of overblowing techniques. But in no way he sounds dull or uninspired. He get’s the opportunity to play solo on the last track: ‘Retreat’. I am not a huge fan of solo saxophone records but Lacy just does it really well. He sounds even more desolate like this. With headphones on it’s like you’re in his horn. A strange ominous feeling that yet feels very warm at the same time.
The album was released by Novus and is widely available in any form. I bought mine for 3 euros… You’d pay more for a McDonalds menu. If I was hungry I’d still choose this record. I really just can’t get enough of this duo. As this album is again filled with new material and newly chosen compositions it’s again something else but also sounds so familiar. It is definitely one of their more accessible works. So probably a good one to start with if you are interested in what these guys have made together.
No comments:
Post a Comment