Curtis Lundy w/Roy Hargrove, John Hicks, Bobby Watson: Against All Odds

Straightahead / Mainstream Jazz
premiera polska: 2000-04-01
opakowanie: Jewelcaseowe etui
opis:
Audio 06/2000 - Muzyka * * * */ realizacja * * * * 1/2
Basista Curtis Lundy jest z pewnością mniej znany od swojej siostry, wokalistki Carmen Lundy. Odkryty został przez Betty Carter i w 1979f. przyłączył się do akompaniującego jej zespołu. Później była współpraca z Geri Allen, Jackiem DeJohnette, Dave'em Holloandem i Donem Bradenem. Sam posiada krótką dyskografię. trzy albumy, w tym jeden z chórem gospel. Tym ciekawiej prezentuje się płyta "Against All Odds", nagrana z jazzowymi tuzami: trębaczem Royem Hargrove'em, saksofonistą Bobby Watsonem, pianistą Johnem Hicksem i perkusistą Winardem Harperem. W trzech utworach zaśpiewała wspaniale Carmen Lundy, tworząc tajemniczy nastrój zmysłowej ballady.
Album nie ma słabych momentów. Gdyby wydała go firma dysponująca dużą machiną promocyjną, wielu miłośników jazu odkryłoby kolejnego świetnego muzyka zasługującego na szersze uznanie. Warto tez zwrócić uwagę na "mięsiste" brzmienie całego zespołu i niemal audiofilskie nagranie.
autor: Marek Dusza

Downbeat 04/2000 * * * * 1/2

All Music Guide
There are many jazz bassists that swing, have rock solid deep blue tones, and know their tradition forwards and backwards, but few quite like Lundy. He's had scant ops to lead a band of his own, but this is one listeners can quickly jump on, it's a very good representation of how he approaches the modern mainstream. As usual he has alto saxophonist Bobby Watson along for the ride. Pianists John Hicks and Anthony Wonsey trade shifts on the nine selections, with drummer Winard Harper throughout. Tenor saxophonist Shelley Carrol is quite prevalent as an instrumental contributor and composer, while trumpeters Roy Hargrove and Peven Everett swap places on select cuts. There's also some outstanding vocal work from sister Carmen Lundy, who is on three wonderful tracks. The very best "Blue Woman" has her soulfully emoting over a modal horn line that softly swells in six beat per bar time, accented by Hargrove's lilting trumpet solo, a fully realized, beautifully conceived idea. "Where'd It Go?" is a tale of love lost hopefully to be found again, Carmen's pining supported by Wonsey's modal piano chords as Watson's alto musically replies "I'll think about it." The most unusual number, Everett's "Groydology" is a chunky, funky blues to small swing changeling with the piano of Hicks in a repetitive boogie foundation similar to Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis, setting off a loping horn line, a combination immediately ear grabbing. There are several instances where the band recalls Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers style of post-bop, as on the swinger Carrol wrote "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" There are three ballads; Carmen's patient, sweet modal "Long Journey," Onaje Allan Gumbs "All Things Being Equal Are Not" with extended lyricism from Carrol, and what liner note writer Willard Jenkins describes as a "burnt orange" hued lament "Teardrops," the bassists lone composition on this CD, with Watson's alto and Hargrove's flugelhorn weeping as Lundy's bass offers the handkerchief. As a complete musical statement, this goes quite far in clearly defining what Lundy's all about. Other recordings, especially the exceptional "Just Be Yourself" (New Note) gave more than a hint, but this very fine CD rams the point home. Curtis Lundy, Top 10 bassist, period. Recommended.
by Michael G. Nastos

muzycy:
Roy Hargrove: Trumpet, Flute, Flugelhorn
Shelley Carrol: Tenor Saxophone
Peven Everett: Trumpet
Anthony Wonsey, John Hicks: Piano
Bobby Watson: on 2nd track
Curtis Lundy: Bass
Winard Harper: Drums
Carmen Lundy: Voice

utwory:
1. Players' Anthem 6:19
2. Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? 7:07
3. A Long Journey 7:09
4. Groydology 11:56
5. Teardrops 5:44
6. Where'd It Go? 5:31
7. Sweet Audrey 4:42
8. Blue Woman 6:15
9. All Things Being Equal Are Not 7:41

nagrano: 1999
more info: www.justin-time.com