Musicians: John Bailey (trumpet), Myron Walden (alto sax), Donny McCaslin (tenor sax), Frank Wess (tenor sax), Alon Yavnai (piano), John Hart (guitar), Gregg August (bass/ composer), Eric McPhearson (drums), Quincy Davis (drums), Ray Baretto (congas), Wilson Corniel (congas)
Review: I know next to nothing about bassist/composer Gregg August, “and that’s…OK,” so I have no preconceived notions about his music. After several listens, I still don’t know what stylistic “bag” to put him in and that’s even better (even if it makes my job tougher).
There are Afro-Cuban and Spanish influences, but more in the melodies than rhythms (which swing like crazy, btw), though “Melody in Black and Grey” utilizes a deceptively simple, stripped-down Cuban-style drive. There are undertones of Charles Mingus (circa late 1950s), but more compositionally (well-thought, pensive, forlorn tunes rich with a very human “cry”) and the way the soloists seem to “push” themselves, though August sounds nothing like Chas on bass. There’s some “out” wailing and thorny, cathartic dissonances, yet it’s not “avant-garde” or free jazz.
There’re some snazzy arrangements a la Gil Evans and Frank Zappa with lots of shifting meters and swift tempo changes that sound beautifully uncontrived. The closest comparison this writer can make: Late August recalls the thoroughly integrated eclecticism of the fine Massachusetts inside-out, mini-big band Either/Orchestra. (What, you’ve never heard them and their interpretations of tunes by King Crimson and Julius Hemphill?!?)
“Work In Progress” references the more adventurous aspects of the 50s West Coast Cool sound (i.e., Jimmy Giuffre, Chico Hamilton, Shorty Rogers), yet without one iota of “retro” baggage. The sound August achieves out of a tentet (give or take a fellow) is alluringly full but makes a nice (as in “judicious”) use of space (what you don’t play is as important as what you do play). This set is SO listenable on the surface one might not notice all the warm, witty, personable, sharp creativity present throughout. Maybe I got to this one too late to put in my Top 10 for 2005 list, but if I were permitted a Top 12 list, August’s maiden voyage (as a leader) would be mos def present & accounted-for. Watch for this guy.
Tracks: Sweet Maladie, Four Two K, M's Blues, Treatments In Darkness, Los Dos Cotós, Melody In Black and Grey, Eulogy, Deceptions, Work In Progress
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