Bobby Hutcherson - 1970 - San Francisco Featuring Harold Land

Bobby Hutcherson - San Francisco 

Blue Note

Bobby Hutcherson - Vibraphone

Harold Land - Tenor Sax, Flute, Oboe

Joe Sample - Acoustic & Electric Pianos

John Williams - Acoustic & Electric Basses

Mickey Roker - Drums

Produced by Duke Pearson at UA Studios LA

Recording Date: July 15 1970

Bobby Hutcherson's late-'60s partnership with tenor saxophonist Harold Land had always produced soulful results, but not until San Francisco did that translate into a literal flirtation with funk and rock. After watching several advanced post-bop sessions gather dust in the vaults, Hutcherson decided to experiment with his sound a bit, but San Francisco still doesn't wind up the commercial jazz-funk extravaganza that purists might fear. Instead, Hutcherson and Land stake out a warm and engaging middle ground between muscular funk and Coltrane-style modality; in other words, they have their cake and eat it too. Joined by pianist/keyboardist Joe Sample (also of the Jazz Crusaders), acoustic/electric bassist John Williams, and drummer Mickey Roker, Hutcherson and Land cook up a series of spacious, breezy grooves that sound unlike any other record in the vibist's discography (even his more commercial fusion sessions). The selections -- all group-member originals -- often skirt the edges of fusion, but rarely play it as expected; they might float some spare tradeoffs over a loping, heavy bass groove, throw in an oboe solo by Land, or -- as on the slowest piece -- keep time only with intermittently spaced piano chords. It's all done with enough imagination and harmonic sophistication to achieve the rare feat of holding appeal for traditional jazz and rare-groove fans alike. It's a shame Hutcherson didn't explore this direction more, because San Francisco is not only one of his best albums, but also one of his most appealing and accessible.

01. Goin' Down South

02. Prints Tie

03. Jazz

04. Ummh

05. Procession

06. A Night In Barcelona

Harold Land - 1972 - Damisi

Harol Land - Damisi

Mainstream Records, MRL 367

1972

Harold Land : tenor saxophone, oboe

Ndugu (Leon Chancler) : drums

Buster Williams : Fender bass, acoustic bass

Bill Henderson : electric piano, acoustic piano

Oscar Brashear : trumpet, flugelhorn

Bobby Hutcherson : vibraphone (tracks 6 & 7 only)

"Step Right Up From The Bottom" is a straight ahead acoustic cooker by Land with some intriguing changes allowing the soloists to stretch out.

"In The Back etc"has a funky feeling-electric keyboards and bass, Brashaer on flugelhorn and the two horns interweaving in a complex, collectivly improvisational finish.

Land plays Oboe on "Pakistan" and it's exotic tone is well suited to its dark mood. Brashaers muted trumpet and Hendersons Tyneresque piano contribute to the adventurous piece. Back on tenor Land plays Ndugu's" Chocolate Mess" on which brief ensemble statements alternate with a sustained minor vamp.

"Damisi" is an attractive melodic creation, featuring Land at his most intense on two burning solos seperated by trumpet and piano passages.

1. Step Right Up To The Bottom

2. In The Back, In The Corner, In The Dark

3. Pakistan

4. Chocolate Mess

5. Damisi

6. Dark Mood

7. Up and Down

Matthew Halsall

Already following up on his Sending My Love debut, Mancunian trumpeter Matthew Halsall teams up with labelmate Nat Birchall, pianist Adam Fairhall, bass player Gavin Barras and alternating drummers Gaz Hughes and Marek Dorcik for an album of melodic and often meditative jazz. As with its predecessor there's a pleasantly trad feel to all this, taking on the feel and character of a fairly conventional club combo, albeit with an uncommonly heightened sense of composerly intuition. Halsall sounds especially strong during the record's quieter passages, slowing the pulse to stealthy, dulcet levels on 'I've Been Here Before', leaving room for restrained, melancholy intonations counterbalanced by the prickly harpof Rachael Gladwin.

The Compositions by Matthew Halsall - http://www.gondwanarecords.com/