Search - Ronald Shannon Jackson, Decoding Society :: When Colors Play

Decoding Society Live at the Caravan of Dreams

K. Hooker | Dallas, Texas USA | 06/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Decoding Society, led by drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson, represents one of the high points of electric jazz. Mr. Jackson is a brilliant and powerfully rhythmic drummer, a composer of note, and a superb leader. Unlike most drummer-leaders, Mr. Jackson rarely solos, relying instead on talented sidemen, in this case the twin guitars of Cary Denigris and Masujaa, and saxophonists Eric Person and Zane Masssey (with John Moody on bass guitar). This recording is one of the best in the Decoding Society's discography, featuring a series of highly memorable compositions, strong group interaction, and first rate soloists. It was recorded September 12 and 13, 1986, live at the Caravan of Dreams in Fort Worth, Texas."

Free jazz/funk explorations.

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 09/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Composed largely during a journey through Africa and India where drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson was seeking rhythms and sounds, "When Colors Play" is one of the better and more intriguing entries in the catalog of the Decoding Society. Consisting at this point of saxaphonists Eric Person (heard on soprano and alto) and Zane Massey (on soprano and tenor), guitarists Cary DeNegris and Masujaa, and bassist John Moody, the band cooks, driven by some of the most inspired drumming of Jackson's career.



The music, by and large, is exploratory variants of Ornette Colemans' Prime Time sound-- it's clear that Jackson was reaching for a new sound to accompany his music-- the record pushes in many directions, with superb playing throughout. Particular highlights include the groaning, lurching theme of "When Colors Play", explosive alto soloing on the harmolodically-infused chugging "Good Omens" courtesy of Eric Person, and a fierce guitar solo on "March of the Pink Wallflowers" that recalls both former Decoding Society guitarist Vernon Reid and master Sonny Sharrock. But the album really comes to a head on the bluesy, slowly building "Blue Midnight", with an almost lazy theme statement that explodes into a soprano sax duet with Jackson fiercely restrained. Stunning stuff.



Anyone open to electric free jazz should have this album, pure and simple. Highly recommended."