Some additional backstory: This is a recording of Maupin's Polish band, with Michal Tokaj on piano, Michal Baranski on bass, Lukasz Zyta on drums, and Hania Chowaniec-Rybka on vocals on two tracks. Full story here: http://www.greenleafmusic.com/#/blog/2008/11/bennie_maupin.php

BENNIE MAUPIN QUARTET: Early Reflections
Cryptogramophone, 2008

MODERN JAZZ – Beautiful, introspective ballads and tone poems from Maupin, an eclectic multi-reedist best known for his work in Miles Davis’ electric bands. These tunes are technically quite advanced but sound simple, even hummable, and often have a spiritual sense about them. It’s a quiet, very gentle set that rewards close listening.

Fo’s Picks: 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 13

1. 2:37 – calm, floating ballad: drifts lazily
2. 7:44 – gorgeous ballad with a mysterious Latin melody and rich soloing
3. 2:23 – short & abstract over walking groove, just sketches the outlines
4. 8:59 – haunting tune with wordless vox, starts slow, brightens, then surges
5. 3:49 – darkening tone poem; echoes of a distant storm, quotes a standard
6. 10:15 – tinkly intro, then a casual roll, becomes vigorously spiritual postbop
7. 3:04 – dramatic drums into elastic walking groove
8. 7:52 – slow and sad: achingly beautiful melody, like a lonely flower
9. 2:38 – abstract sketch, balances freeform sound with tight coordination
10. 5:46 – rocks gently: sweet piano musings and sage soprano sax
11. 7:14 – slow, calm ballad, hangs suspended, then picks up a light groove
12. 4:24 – perky sound, tricky rhythms give way to a happy, soulful strut
13. 9:04 – strange & otherworldly with wordless vocal, becomes moody ballad

[ Fo ] 14-Jun-08