Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tobias Gebb & Unit 7: free at last

321

Tobias Gebb & Unit 7: free at last

By

Sign in to view read count
Tobias Gebb & Unit 7: free at last
New York-based drummer Tobias Gebb assembled a stellar cast for free at last. The format of Unit 7 follows the instrumentation tradition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. The three-horn frontline and three-man rhythm section allows this group to sound bigger than it is at times, while also having the flexibility to make things more intimate. Gebb covers plenty of stylistic ground over the course of these eight songs and he wastes no time getting started.

"Blues for Drazen" begins with a fiery drum introduction that leads into an up-tempo swing feel. Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard and pianist Eldad Zvulun all get some space to stretch out as Gebb unleashes a furious solo with machine gun-like runs. "My Love" is a Brazilian-tinged Gebb composition that shows great contrast between the three soloists. Trumpeter Joe Magnarelli plays things pretty straight and has a drier sound than usual, while tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm is warmer and more soulful and Zvulun comes across as being more contemplative and measured.



Gebb's "Spitball" is a close relative of soulful, funky, feel-good tunes like "The Sidewinder," that brought trumpeter Lee Morgan great fame during his Blue Note heyday. Altoist Mark Gross and Frahm both get some room to solo, but it's Magnarelli that steals the show with his fluid and energetic performance. Gil Evans and Charles Mingus both provide some inspiration for Gebb's unique arrangement of "You Don't Know What Love Is"; whether playing castanets behind a brooding saxophone solo or swinging behind the band, Gebb always provides the right support and feel. The high point of this performance comes when Watson and Dillard turn up the heat as they solo over and around one another.

While a title like "Bop Be Dop" might suggest a Charlie Parker-style workout, the music couldn't be further from that realm; instead, it's a calypso in the spirit of Sonny Rollins, featuring tenor saxophonist Ron Blake. "Free At Last," with a title referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and paying tribute to American President Obama, is a slow-building, harmonious chorale that reaches a soul-stirring conclusion. The finest example of Gebb's flexibility and Elvin Jones-like sensibility is on "Softly as in a Morning Contemplation." Gebb melds "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" with pianist McCoy Tyner's "Contemplation," and the result is nothing short of spectacular. The song doesn't succeed because of what's played, but rather for what is left out. A hip, loose feel is present throughout the song, with bassist Neal Miner anchoring the group and the saxophones so cool that they seem to ooze from the players' pores. Sitarist Neel Murgai joins the band for "Tomorrow Never Knows." Frahm and Gross have fun emulating and meshing with Murgai as they put their own stamp on this last song.

Track Listing

Blues for Drazen; My Love; Spitball; You Don't Know What Love Is; Bop Be Dop; Free At Last; Softly as in a Morning Contemplation; Tomorrow Never Knows.

Personnel

Tobias Gebb: drums; Bobby Watson: alto saxophone (1, 4, 7); Joe Magnarelli: trumpet (2, 3, 6); Ron Blake: tenor saxophone (5); Joel Frahm: tenor saxophone (2, 3, 6, 8); Stacy Dillard: tenor saxophone (1, 4, 5, 7); Mark Gross: alto saxophone (2, 3, 6, 8); Ugonna Okegwo: acoustic bass (2, 3, 6, 8); Neal Miner: acoustic bass (1, 4, 5, 7); Neel Murgai: sitar (8); Eldad Zvulun: piano.

Album information

Title: free at last | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Yummyhouse Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.