Fans of Coltrane’s Giant Steps will especially dig Ted’s powerful tenor sound. This burning set of modern jazz is one of my very best live recordings. It captures that night’s magic—the emotional nuances of these fiery young lions and the spacious, gorgeous ambience of that little concert hall. Down Beat gives it 3 1/2 Stars. Featuring Ben Alison (bass), Frank Kimbrough (piano) and Tim Horner (drums). (#01532)

Ted Nash, tenor sax
Frank Kimbrough, piano
Ben Allison, bass
Tim Horner, drums

TRACK LISTING:

REVIEWS:

Downbeat:
reviewed by Suzanne McElfresh

You can tell a lot about a band by the cover tunes it chooses. Here, Out Of This World, a Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer composition that John Coltrane adopted for his modal explorations, embodies this quartet's style: a blend of straightahead grooves and post-bop harmonics that encourages plenty of extended blowing.

On six songs, including five originals (recorded in concert with Mapleshade's usual pristine aural setup), the New York-based band comes across as a strong unit with accomplished soloists. Kimbrough is featured on his own Hope, a poignant ballad, weaving in a Bill Evans vibe with the emotional depth it takes to create a personal voice. On the bluesy, Ornette-ish Sadness, also his, and the album's uptempo songs, he adds occasional Tynerisms to good effect. Nash, inspired by classic-quartet-era Trane, plays the more lyrical end of the spectrum. He occasionally edges toward raw emotion, as when he and drummer Tim Horner duet, à la Trane and Elvin, on a few choruses of the title track.

This band may not be forging its own new jazz style, but listen to Necessary Risks. It's fast and hot, Nash noodles Ornette-like, Kimbrough's dissonant syncopations add tension, the rhythm section burns. Not out of this world, but certainly a nice bit of it.

March 1994