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Ernest Dawkins' New Horizons Ensemble: The Messenger
BySimilarly, the role of Chicago as a key to the history of the music is always in their view. In much the same way as the sound of the Stax label might have evoked some spirit of Memphis, so this music is steeped in Chicago.
If this can be defined musically as a simultaneously tight but loose feel, then these guys have got it down on the likes of "Meen Ameen," where they call to mind the Art Ensemble Of Chicago in the theme statement before Dawkins' alto sax evokes nothing but his own musical personality.
Their references to the past are not limited by geography. On "The Messenger" they capture the insistent nature of Benny Golson's "Blues March" as it was committed to posterity by an edition of Art Blakey's band. The leader's alto is forthright again, and trombonist Steve Berry swaggers like there's no tomorrow.
"Toucouleur" is something of a contrast, and perhaps the piece best exemplifies the amount of ground this band can cover whilst retaining its musical identity. Trumpeter Maurice Brown has maybe his best outing here, simultaneously reflective and ebullient, if only to show that it can be doneand how much fun the doing can be.
It might be fun that gets closest to the whole point of this music, and that it was recorded live in the old Velvet Lounge in Chicago places it right at the musical heart of its place of origin. The crowd that night must have had a ball.
Track Listing
Intro; Mean Ameen; The Messenger; Goin' Downtown Blues; Toucouleur; The Brood; Lookin' For Ninny.
Personnel
Ernest Dawkins: alto and tenor saxophones; Maurice Brown: trumpet; Steve Berry: trombone; Darius Savage: bass; Isaiah Spencer: drums.
Album information
Title: The Messenger | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Delmark Records
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