The Complete Blue Note Elvin Jones Sessions (Mosaic)
Rating: 6 out of 7
By Dave DiMartino
Deservedly acclaimed for his work with saxophonist John Coltrane's groundbreaking quartet of the early '60s, drummer Elvin Jones was by no means a slouch later, when recording on his own. As this superb eight-CD set fully documents, Jones established himself as an adventurous bandleader between 1968-73, not only for his exquisite taste in musicians, but for the richness and diversity of the instruments in his various combos. Beginning with a stellar instrumental trio showcasing comparatively underrated saxophonist Joe Farrell, Jones would take on further players such as young saxophonists Dave Liebman and Steve Grossman, add a guitar and keyboards from the likes of Chick Corea and Jan Hammer, and play music that at times approached--but never fully reached--fusion. Yet the one quality that would come to dog that musical form--excess--is nowhere to be found on any of these eight discs, reined in by Jones's understated power, on display here every moment.
Three peak periods are documented on these discs: First is the trio consisting of Jones, bassist Jimmy Garrison (also of the Coltrane quartet) and Farrell, responsible for the 1968 sets Puttin' It Together and The Ultimate Elvin Jones. Typically the trio format is the hardest of all combos to pull off successfully in jazz, particularly when no chording instrument is involved, but Farrell is simply exceptional on both of these sessions, sounding as bold and certain as Sonny Rollins did with his famed trios of the previous decade. Second is the larger band that recorded Jones's unsung 1971 masterpiece Genesis; bolstered by the addition of saxophonists Liebman and Frank Foster (whose flute on such tracks as "P.P. Phoenix" is subtle but stunningly rich), as well as bassist/composer Gene Perla. The playing is superb, but the songs them-
selves--from Perla, Liebman and Foster--shine even more. Till now unavailable on CD, this session alone may be reason enough to own this box. Finally comes the quartet that recorded Live At The Lighthouse in 1972; with Perla and Jones solidly backing them, saxophonists Liebman and Grossman take turns soloing and provide ample evidence of why Miles Davis found them strong enough players to take on in his own band soon after.
Eight CDs of brilliantly played jazz, much of it not heard as widely as it might've been, The Complete Blue Note Elvin Jones Sessions is, in short, great stuff played by great players. Hear for yourself.
All recordings are available solely through Mosaic Records; 35 Melrose Place; Stamford, CT 06902; (203) 327-7111.
All recordings courtesy of Mosaic Records. "For All The Other Times" written by G. Perla; courtesy of Perla Music (ASCAP). "Reza" written by E. Lobo, R. Guerra; courtesy of Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)." Ascendant" written by J. Garrison; courtesy of EMI Unart Catalog, Inc. (BMI).
