Objects by Rich Halley

01 Apr

Written by Josh Nannen
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Rich Halley, a name previously unknown to me, is a woodwind player who presents some very cogent free jazz on "Objects," a 2002 release. The title track, which leads off the disc, involves the leader on tenor sax accompanied by trio mates Clyde Reed on bass and Dave Storrs on drums and percussion. Halley’s tone is confident and his sense of direction and thematic development sounds well-informed by Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman. Reed and Storrs prove to be able instrumental conversationalists on this tune and throughout the disc.

"The Search" features Halley on soprano sax, and is reminiscent of Steve Lacy in tone and content. Storrs contributes tasty brushwork underneath Reed’s anchor-like and woody bass. "Grey Stones" is a polyrhythmic feast that finds a groove, locks in, and goes off in search of another, only to lock in again, repeating as necessary.

"Over the Rainbow" finds the trio in a more "inside" setting, with Halley stating the melody in almost a Texas-tenor fashion with more than a few phrases that Bennie Wallace might dig. "Objects" is a disc that makes me want to see Rich Halley and crew if they were in my neighborhood.