Personnel Chris
Potter - Saxophones, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute, Sampler, Reed Organ
& Vocal (track 3), Kevin Hays – Piano, Fender Rhodes & Clavinet,
Scott Colley – Bass, Bill Stewart – Drums, John Schofield – Guitar
(tracks 1&7), Adam Rogers – Guitar (tracks 3&8), Dave Binney
– Waterfall sampler (track 2) and Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen – Vocal
sample (track 7).
|
1
|
Megalopolis
|
6
|
Any
Moment Now
|
|
2
|
Snake
Oil
|
7
|
Migrations
|
|
3
|
Invisible
Man
|
8
|
Azalea
|
|
4
|
Washed
Ashore
|
9
|
Highway
One
|
|
5
|
Children
Go
|
10
|
Just
As I Am
|
Chris
Potter is yet another name to emerge from the vast wealth of unknown,
yet highly talented musicians, in the United States. Originally he
went to New York to play with Red Rodney’s band and since then he
has toured or recorded with the Mingus Big Band, Steely Dan, Jim Hall
and James Moody to name but a few. Currently he is enjoying a European
tour opening with the Dave Holland Band, with whom his playing is
best known, and then giving a series of concerts with his own quartet.
‘Magalopolis’
is an ideal opener and typical of Potter’s musical composition. He
is soon into an explosive solo full of riffs and runs across the whole
range of the instrument. ‘Invisible Man’ introduces another facet
of his work this time his flute playing is over-dubbed with his voice.
The complete piece provides a plaintive and haunting atmosphere and
again the saxophone playing is innovative to say the least. ‘Highway
One’ is a track that specifically held my interest. Hays’ weaving
piano solo is accompanied by some of the best backing rhythm on the
disc and Potter’s soprano work completes a solid performance. It is
difficult to envisage an assembly of better accompanists as he has
here – they enthusiastically explore and work off each other.
His
earlier album ‘Gratitude’ has been very well received and ‘Traveling
Mercies’ I am sure will be as popular.
Chris
Potter is at the forefront of the current generation of musicians
who are already well advanced into moulding yet another shape to modern
music both in terms of composition and performance.
Jack Ashby
CD Reviews
Verve
018
234 - 2
