Hyperion With Higgins features more music from the December 1999 sessions that led to Lloyd's previous ECM release, The Water Is Wide, and it's in large part a tribute to the great, late drummer Billy Higgins. Besides Lloy... more »d and Higgins, the album features John Abercombie (electric guitar), Brad Mehldau (piano), and Larry Grenadier (double-bass). All eight compositions, including the five-part "Darkness on the Delta," in which Abercrombie offers solo tribute to country blues master Robert Johnson, are by the saxophonist. They reveal his trademark ability to move convincingly between passages of intense ad lib reflection and triplet-based swing, and the concluding "The Caravan Moves On" is the clearest example of the Near-Eastern inclinations that often surface in his work. If Lloyd's spiritually charged tone remains his own throughout, there are occasions when the aura of Getz at his most Brazilian comes to mind, as in the opening "Dancing Waters," as well as that of Coltrane at his most ritualistic--especially evident in the rubato power of "Miss Jessye." Throughout, Higgins is excellent, whether supplying the most feathery of cymbal touches or offering variously textured and stomping drive. Abercrombie, Mehldau, and Grenadier all have their moments, but the album is chiefly notable for the compositions of Lloyd and the multidimensional work of its late and lamented drummer, one of the finest musicians in all of jazz. --Michael Tucker« less
Hyperion With Higgins features more music from the December 1999 sessions that led to Lloyd's previous ECM release, The Water Is Wide, and it's in large part a tribute to the great, late drummer Billy Higgins. Besides Lloyd and Higgins, the album features John Abercombie (electric guitar), Brad Mehldau (piano), and Larry Grenadier (double-bass). All eight compositions, including the five-part "Darkness on the Delta," in which Abercrombie offers solo tribute to country blues master Robert Johnson, are by the saxophonist. They reveal his trademark ability to move convincingly between passages of intense ad lib reflection and triplet-based swing, and the concluding "The Caravan Moves On" is the clearest example of the Near-Eastern inclinations that often surface in his work. If Lloyd's spiritually charged tone remains his own throughout, there are occasions when the aura of Getz at his most Brazilian comes to mind, as in the opening "Dancing Waters," as well as that of Coltrane at his most ritualistic--especially evident in the rubato power of "Miss Jessye." Throughout, Higgins is excellent, whether supplying the most feathery of cymbal touches or offering variously textured and stomping drive. Abercrombie, Mehldau, and Grenadier all have their moments, but the album is chiefly notable for the compositions of Lloyd and the multidimensional work of its late and lamented drummer, one of the finest musicians in all of jazz. --Michael Tucker
"I will get right down to the bottom:
This is one of the greatest recordings I know of. I owned Lloyd's "The water is wide" prior to this one and I was blown away especially by pieces such as "Georgia", "The water is wide" and "Prayer" (these are on "The water is wide" CD). This CD ("Hyperion with Higgins") continues the connection I have with the mentioned songs from "The water is wide" with every piece.
I honestly love each and every piece of this CD. What a genius in composing Charles Lloyd is. This CD truely proves it.
The musicians could not be a better match. Mehldau's piano goes underneath the skin and Abercrombie's guitar...if you know "Prayer" from "The water is wide", you know what I mean (no words necessary).
Then there is Larry Grenadier, who shows how to introduce a piece in "Bharati". If you have a decent sound system you will appreciate the great quality of this recording (I can hear Grenadier breathing).
Did I mention I like this CD? I listened to it a lot of times and every time I feel how the musicians enjoy playing with rythm and emotion.
Billy Higgins is a great drummer. It's sad that he passed away. It's great that he left us with his work as it is recorded on this CD.
This CD ranks very very high on my list. *****"
Passing of Higgins Makes This Disc Even More Important
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 08/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's not as accessible as either The Water Is Wide or Voice in the Night, but there's some fine music on this, Higgins' last hurrah. Really an essential CD for anyone who admires these fine artists--who're generally at the top of their form--as well as the exceptional sidemen Abercrombie, Mehldau, and Grenadier, who's becoming one of the most in-demand young bassists. There's almost a jamming feel to much of this music, but that's OK because they're all such fine listeners and players. You might want to take a pass if you're expecting the more melodic side of Lloyd, although there's plenty of melody, but all others will want to have this transcendent disc."
This is music by the greats
Jan P. Dennis | 02/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great recording - and should be on any music lovers "must have" list. I was really surprised that it wasn't nominated for a grammy, especially when The Water Is Wide was overlooked last year. But given the fact that this is one of Billy Higgins last known recordings - it should be more than enough reason to get it. To hear these two Masters (Lloyd and Higgins) at work is unparalled. When you add in Grenadier, Abercrombie and Mehldau, the result
is a sublime mix of ballads, blues, and beyond. It continues to amaze me that Lloyd is so overlooked in the USA. This recording also has great sound - Lloyd is a sensitive ( but not twee) and is an artist in the true sense of the word. He is definitely a contender and it rarely gets better than this. Don't hesitate, go get it now!"
One of the jazz highlights of the year
Edy Gibert | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 10/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Please let me go directly into the music played in this CD forgetting the tribute and homage value of the recording. The quality of the compositions, its execution and arrangements are excellent. Very comforting to listen to a production of this nature in today's jazz scene, where there are is too many stravaganza on one hand and too many boring repetitive sounds on the other. This work is a perfect balance between group playing, improvising, and soloing privileging the melodic sound. You will find that the high melodic quality is in the music scales and the mood of the compositions and not in the playing of ballads or standard type material. The music is in the "soft" side of the jazz spectrum, but far from being boring, unchallenging, or slow to develop. The group allows improvisation when necessary and does not engage in it by obligation (that's taste). Brad Mehldau's piano playing has an important role in the sound of the group -which is great if you are into piano jazz trios, while Lloyd's sax is inspiring and intelligent adding a spiritual flavor when the the rest of the intruments need refreshing. Guitarist John Abercrombie is great in both soloing and in the rhythm section. Larry Grenadier's bass is always present though out the tunes providing a solid base, while drummer Billy Higgins -who passed away in may 2001 and is honored in this very important jazz release- plays a great variety o rhythms creating different ambiences with delicate touch. When you read the notes in the CD you will find out about the love and admiration felt for Higgins by the other musicians, and the decision to release this material recorded in 1999. In summary this recording is one of the jazz highlights of the year."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
