Search - Aki Takase :: St Louis Blues

Jazz ain't what it used to be (that's sort of the point, isn

greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 04/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, let's get the business part over with. This CD was recorded in July, 2001 and features Aki Takase-piano, Rudi Mahall-bass clarinet, Fred Frith-guitar, Nils Wogram-trombone and Paul Loven-drums. They play six compositions by W.C. Handy (1,2,4,8,10,12 in the samples), two by Takase (5,9), two by Mahall (3,7), one by Harry Warren (6)and one by Mr. Wolgram (11).

I have only recently started to listen to Ms. Takase's recordings and was more familiar with some of her newer ones (I have reviewed Procreation and Live at Willisau Jazz-both of which I highly recommend). Based on those recordings I expected this one to be a real romp-joyous and fractured versions on some of Handy's great compositions. And there is some of that particularly in the opening and closing compositions.

But there is also a side of this CD that reminds me of some of Solo Monk!

Monk took songs apart and exposed whole new worlds within. He did it with his odd little harmonies and shifts of rhythm. Takase uses a similar methodology on Handy. She loves Handy as a composer. Listen to Morning Star. She plays it slow and very fractured. By so doing she exposes harmonic and melodic possibilities that are very surprising. And Lovens is brilliant in the background. He doesn't so much play time as throw in quiet little provocations and asides.

Takase seems to get superb work out of her band mates. Listen to Wolgram's intro to Eine Drehorgel... Mahall and Frith (a perfect choice) are outstanding throughout.

I have to testify against the first reviewer. I too know jazz. Jazz is my favorite type of music as well. And (as I have said before in similar controversies) if this isn't jazz, then the loss is to jazz. Takase is a powerful presence on the contemporary scene, my friends. Check out all of her work."

Avant-garde Jazz

S. Matsueda | 09/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think the reviewer has a narrow view of jazz. This is excellent avant-garde jazz and not your standard straight ahead recording. I think Ms. Takase should be proud of this very complex and nuanced performance."