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George Haslam/Borah Bergman/Paul Hession: The Mahout
The Mahout is not for everyone, and even a sympathetic listener may wish for more brevity. The opening track is eleven minutes of nonstop thrashing, though the following solo pieces provide space and serenity. Bergman is inevitably compared to Cecil Taylor, who seems to be truly appreciated by only a hardy few. No astute Taylor fan will mistake The Mahout for the frenetic free bop architect’s work, but it’s fair to say it’s in the same general category as Taylor’s small band stuff, and just as unvarnished. Bergman’s playing is densely textured, rarely spacious. While atonal, it manages at times also to be lyrical and lovely. Haslam’s baritone work is outstanding, and he also plays tarogato, switching from one to the other with astonishing speed, or playing them both simultaneously. Hession is a first rate drummer, and his solo segment is a high point on the record. Let’s hope to see this trio in New York soon.
Track Listing
1. The Mahout - 11:01 2. M.E.W. - 3:19 3. Streams - 8:08 4. Ancient Stars - 7:21 5. The Varmint (For Jack Elam) - 5:23 6. Dusk - 4:48 7. Zircon - 8:19
Personnel
Borah Bergman - piano; George Haslam - baritone sax, tarogato; Paul Hession - drums.
Album information
Title: The Mahout | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Slam Records
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About George Haslam
Instrument: Saxophone, baritone
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