If Trees Could Talk

If Trees Could Talk

Editorial Reviews
From Jazziz
Mapleshade's spare approach to sound recording - analog, mastered live to two track, no overdubs, no compression, no mixing board, and on - serves Bluiett well on this album, capturing the World Saxophone Quartet member's baritone sax in all its robust, earthy richness. The arrangements are similarly unadorned - except for the opening cut's skeletal, percolating Afro-beats (courtes y of percussionist Asante), Bluiett provides the album's rhythmic thrust. Pianist Larry Willis is the only other player here, offering glistening contrast with his fluid solos and sprightly, straightahead accompaniment. As a creative foil, Willis is valuable, providing inspiration and broadening the sonic palette. But the real star here is Bluiett, whose mastery is responsible for a good deal more variation than one might think his big horn would allow.

Bluiett consistently displays an impressive range - one could be forgiven for repeated checks of the detailed CD booklet to see if the lush mid-range and squealing high-end sounds are indeed produced by the baritone. (They are, except for the alto flute used on the titular song.) The album boasts an impressive thematic ran ge, too: shearing dissonance meets up with honking R&B on "The African"; elsewhere, mournful melodies benefit from around, smooth tone. Ballads don't escape sharp interjections, but even at his most jarring, Bluiett never dismisses his tuneful sensibilities.

If Trees Could Talk,Larry Willis & Hamiet Bluiett,Mapleshade Records,Avant-Garde Jazz,Fusion,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop

Jazz Music: If Trees Could Talk

Jazz Music: