Search - Bobby Bradford :: Midnight Pacific Airwaves

Fantastic Live Radio Performance from 1977!

Jason Chesney | Culver City, Ca. | 06/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A late night / early morning performance, originally broadcast live from KPFK, April 2, 1977 in North Hollywood, CA. The Bobby Bradford Extet ("X" as in unknown, because you never know how many will show up - later it became the Mo'Tet, "the mo' money you give, the mo' tet you get!") featuring a fine quartet of Bradford on cornet, flautist James Newton, bassist Richard Rehwald, and John Goldsmith on Drums. The front line of cornet & flute is sonically intriguing and uncommon. Bradford leads the way with his truly unique voice, always lyrical, inventive and wise, while the highly skilled Newton shadows him with amazing technical and expressive prowess. These men are very adept in the art of melodic weaving! The rhythm section is rolling and tumbling, atmospheric when called for, and provide excellent free, yet stable support throughout! The big issue is that the bass becomes almost inaudible when the group gets to the boiling point, which happens often! The mix is what it is. Drums are too up front, bass much too low but, the horns are just about right. Otherwise, the over all sound is good and natural. The music more than makes up for any level issues.



The material featured on this release are some of Bradford's most visited improvisational vehicles. Rest assured, though you can find some of these tunes on Bradford's other releases, they never feel / sound the same, even when featured twice on the same album! The readings here are unique. And though the tunes get wonderfully bent out of shape, the residual echoes of the melodic theme is always present.



1. Comin' On (B. Bradford) - 13:12

2. She (B. Bradford) - 18:53

3. Blue Monk (T. Monk) - 9:58

4. Improvisation #12 (Bradford, Newton, Rehwald, Goldsmith) - 6:30

(Bonus Track)

5. She (B. Bradford) - 11:32 (Duet w/Vinny Golia)



The bonus track, recorded live in 2003 with multi-instrumentalist Vinny Golia on clarinet is extra special. It bubbles and percolates with brilliance! Bradford making use of a plunger to great effect and Golia spinning opaque melodies at high velocity! The spirit of the late great John Carter is clearly present!



(Please note that the cd cover and Amazon have mistakes in the track order, and in Amazons case, the samples are mislabeled as well...Info for tracks 3 & 4 are switched)



I for one always look forward to any Bobby Bradford release and this disc is most welcomed and essential. It's a blessing that this late night radio broadcast was saved and not lost in space. Lucky us!

"