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Kidd Jordan: On Fire
ByAs customary for Jordan, each cut is spontaneously created, relying on the participants' quick wits and instincts honed over 55 plus years of activity in not only avant jazz, but also, as in the case of Jordan, stints backing R&B royalty like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Jordan's signature falsetto wailan uncompromising but deeply felt soundpermeates each track although the resultant blowing is more than one- dimensional. He spikes his unbridled expression with insistent riffs or reflective codas, around which his colleagues rally and create emphatic conclusions. On "We Are All Indebted To Each Other," the combination of both approaches, with a beautiful luminous tone, makes for a strikingly affecting conclusion.
Smith's artistry is orchestral in scope, demonstrating mastery of timbre and rhythm. He effects an inspiring change of pace when he switches to shimmering vibes. Bankhead deploys a deep buzzing thrum, like a hive of bees, best heard in an extended flickering feature towards the end of "The Evil Eye," when he evokes flamenco stylings. He gets a name check all his own on the soulful "Harrison Carries Out the Coffin" where he accompanies another fleet-fingered solo with a melodic hum, leading to a richly bluesy Second Line finale.
Jordan and his band burn brightly, their blend of joyous abandon and searing intensity prove hard to beat.
Track Listing
Officer, that Big Knife Cuts My Sax Reeds; The Evil Eye; We Are All Indebted To Each Other; Harrison Carries Out The Coffin.
Personnel
Kidd Jordan
saxophoneKidd Jordan: tenor saxophone; Harrison Bankhead: bass; Warren Smith: drums, vibraphone.
Album information
Title: On Fire | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Engine
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