Search - Joe Lovano :: Streams of Expression

Streams of Expresssion indeed!

James Lamperetta | Upstate, NY | 01/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For many Miles Davis' 'Birth of the Cool' is a defining, desert-island favorite. Recorded during three sessions, two in 1949 and one in early '50, this record not only stands as one of the most auspicious debuts as a leader, it served as the template for what would become known as 'cool jazz,' a comparatively understated approach which flourished on the West Coast in the '50's as a stylistic contrast to the more fervent bop-infused styles which dominated the East Coast scene.



On French horn in Davis' nonet for that third session was Gunther Schuller, who has since gone on to earn acclaim as a composer and arranger, while also becoming one of the figures most associated with 'third stream' jazz (he coined the term) -- an extension of the cool style which also incorporates elements of classical music.



Consequently, when saxophonist Joe Lovano was commissioned to explore the music of this seminal recording, Schuller was an enlightened and obvious choice.



The ensuing 'Streams of Expression,' recently released on Blue Note, features Schuller's 'The Birth of the Cool Suite' as its centerpiece, both figuratively and literally as it is bookended by Lovano's own five-part suite 'Streams of Expression.'



Utilizing instrumentation that varies slightly from Davis', Schuller pays meticulous attention to detail as he integrates specific elements from the original performances and Gil Evans' legendary arrangements into a trio of tunes -- 'Moon Dreams,' 'Move' and 'Boplicity' -- from the original album.



Tying these together with his own 'Prelude,' 'Postlude' and two 'Interludes,' Schuller describes in the liner notes how he recast this small part of the genre's Holy Grail.



Fortunately, what reads as though it could have been an over-academic exercise in dissection, it captures and evokes the interplay and spirit which have made the original 'Birth' an enduring, timeless classic of modern jazz.



Lovano's 'Streams' is also particularly effective, with the initial two movements that precede Schuller's 'Suite' sounding as though they are companion pieces.



Subsequent sections find him paying homage to a wide-range of influences, from Eric Dolphy and Charles Mingus on the alto clarinet feature 'Enchantment- Part III,' presented in a trio setting, to Ornette Coleman, Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins on 'Second Nature- Part IV.'



The disc is rounded out with three additional trio performances -- a group format that Lovano has explored to great effect on previous discs. Of these, 'Big Ben,' as well as the final part of the 'Streams' suite both feature Lovano playing the Aulochrome, a custom-made instrument that resembles two soprano saxophones joined together. Configured such that the keys on each can be played either together or separately, the instrument lends an intriguing new dimension to Lovano's already vast sonic palette."

A tribute of love

Case Quarter | CT USA | 05/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"lovano's move doesn't sound much different from the gil evans/miles davis move. my favorite move is by charlie parker, and hearing parker on alto is different from hearing a large group performing the piece. but that's a preference, not a judgment. i've always loved archie shepp's versions of granchan monchur's frankenstein and sonny's back. recently i heard the same tunes recorded by granchan moncur's octet, and i had to step back...not the same as with shepp's tenor, but a matter of preference. and then there's coltrane's a love supreme recorded by marsalis leading a big band. acceptance is the key, someone once told me. listening to the recording yesterday, on the fire prophets i realized that lovano had taken improvisational pieces that sanders, shepp, ayler and coltrane, might had played and arranged them for a large group, his nonet.



he attributes the inspiration for big ben to ben webster and rahsaan roland kirk, but the tone i'm hearing is closer to ornette coleman.



ultimately this is one man's, joe lovano's, tribute of love for jazz and the artists who came before him."

BEST JAZZ RECORDING OF 21ST CENTURY- 10 STARS

Frank J. Battaglia | Houston, Texas United States | 07/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the liner notes explain, 9/11 may have put it on hold, but just like our country, the jihadist could not silence this wonderful jazz project designed to honor Miles Davis on his 75th birthday. Commissioned in 2001 by the Monterrey Jazz Festival the three-movement Birth of the Cool Suite arranged by the great Gunther Schuller was finally resurrected and recorded in 2005. And it was well worth the wait. This wonderful tribute music is contained in an expanded Joe Lovano "nonet" cd entitled Streams of Expressions. Lovano "expanded" it in two ways. First, for the BC Suite, Schuller added a flute chair and a clarinet-bass clarinet chair to Lovano's "Nonet". Next, Lovano created the "Lovano Ensemble" for this cd by the additon of the great Tim Hagans on trumpet and George Garzone on tenor.



In the past I have had a "problem" with tribute cds that re-write the original charts. For example Don Sebesky's Tribute to Duke Ellington called Joyful Noise and Bob Mintzer's tribute to Count Basie. Of course both of those cds won a Grammy (and both had John Riley and Dennis Irwin driving great NYC big bands). Once again I am proven wrong. Schuller "rearranging" of Gil Evans' charts is simply wonderful. His voicings on Boplicity will send shivers down your spine. Not only does he add woodwinds as noted above, Schuller's use of Lovano on ALTO clarinet, Slagle on soprano and LaLama on clarinet with Garzone and Smulyan anchoring on tenor and bari respectively provides harmonic sensual textures that will make you play them over and over again (it did it for me). Of course all the solos (everyone gets his chance) are creative and exciting.



Lewis Nash and Dennis Irwin must be `joined at the hip' (actually their musical minds and hearts are joined) by now and their playing here shows it. Solid groove/impeccable swing time! There is one "MOLTO PRESTO" SECTION that is too fast for my metronome to count. During this burning section Gary Smulyan contributes an incredibly creative bari solo--he is the best on that instrument alive today!



The rest of the cd-the "Streams of Expression" part--is intentionally varied with Lovano soloing on alto clarinet and the "double soprano" instrument called an Aulochrome.



Lovano's addition of Tim Hagans (he was in the original Nonet the recorded the 52nd Street cd) is a double bonus. First, Hagans' solos once again prove that he is not only a trumpet virtuoso but also THE master of chromatic improvisation. If that wasn't enough, Hagans contributes the most interesting and challenging composition/arrangement on the cd. This great group of veteran NYC virtuoso jazz musicians executes the Hagans' tune Buckeyes (name doesn't do justice to the music) with apparent ease. Awesome ensemble work.



Add to all of the above a crystal clear recording (best recording to appreciate sax tones of Lovano and Smulyan) and jazz era mixing--and you have a new classic.



Thus I must nominate this cd as the greatest jazz ensemble cd of the 21st Century. And just as the Birth of the Cool has withstood the test of time, so will Streams of Expression.



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