1. Sir Galahad
2. Reneda
3. Slippin' and Slidin'
4. Double or Nothing
5. Farewell Mulgrew
6. Three Fall
7. Time and Time Again
8. Dance of the Invisible Nymph
9. Dance Eternal Spirits Dance
Billy Harper - Tenor sax
Eddie Henderson - Trumpet
David Weiss - Trumpet
Donald Harrison - Alto sax
George Cables - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Billy Hart - Drums
This latest CD from the jazz super-group, The Cookers, has just been voted ITunes Jazz Album of the Year - and it's evident from the very first few bars of
the opening track just why it has received this accolade. It's an all-star collection of veterans formed some seven years ago by trumpeter David Weiss - at
50, the youngest member - and it plays powerful hard bop, reminiscent of the very best Blue Note line-ups of thirty or more years ago, with a contemporary
sharpness. Five of its seven members contribute compositions that highlight the band's high-class harmonic and rhythmic skills but leave space for
freewheeling solos.
Sir Galahad
was a Great Dane that once belonged to Billy Harper who pays tribute to his canine friend with an irresistibly bubbling solo that somehow manages to
combine the influence of both Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. At 71, Harper is playing better than ever. Former Jazz Messenger Harrison adds the first
of several emotive alto solos.
Veteran bassist McBee, at 79 the senior member of the band and one-third of a rhythm section that makes a nonsense of its collective 223 years, is the
composer of a loping blues, Slippin' and Slidin', which features a sonorous bass solo from McBee himself and a bright, fluent trumpet
solo by the excellent Eddie Henderson. George Cables contributes an attractive ballad, Farewell Mulgrew, in tribute to fellow pianist, the late
Mulgrew Miller.
Three Fall
is Weiss's only tune, and it's a good one that uses the full power of the front line and provides Harper with the framework for another sparkling
solo. Dance of the Invisible Nymph has a tricky time-signature (regrettably, there are no sleeve-notes to aid identification) but Henderson,
Harrison and Cables find it conducive to inventive soloing.
There isn't a dud track and there's a compelling sense that these seven fine musicians are having a lot of fun. Veterans they may be - apart from the
almost youthful Weiss - but their musicianship is bursting with vigour.
I would hazard a guess that this is likely to be on many jazz fans' list of favourite CDs of 2015.
George Stacy
CD Reviews
Motema Music 233883
