1032K: That Which Is Planted

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Andrew Drury (d)
Ku-umba Frank Lacy (tb, fl, v, perc)
Kevin Ray (b)

Label:

Passin' Thru

October/2014

Catalogue Number:

41231

RecordDate:

date not stated

As a member of the Mingus Dynasty band, veteran trombonist Ku-umba Frank Lacy will only be all too aware of the relevance of the master bassist and the decades of jazz history that came in his wake. This enjoyable compilation of live performances (taken from two different concerts in upstate New York), makes that very explicit, presenting Mingus' inspirational ‘Ecclusiastics’ as the centrepiece of a programme that also features the songs of Albert Ayler, Henry Threadgill and Steve McCall. The latter two were of course part of the legendary trio Air, and Lacy, Kevin Ray and Andrew Drury have something of that group's combustion, dynamics and attention to detail, with the bass and drums in particular playing sharply focused independent roles beyond basic timekeeping. Spanish rhythms, gospel melodies, New Orleans polyphony and hard swing are all part of the heady brew that they serve up, but beyond the quality of the compositions the improvisations have both the punch and creative depth to hold the attention. Most interestingly, it is a piece by the bassist Joe Ford, ‘Give It Some Thought’ that proves to be the highlight of the album. It's a wonderfully yearning, soulful anthem that puts the gloss on a CD in which the choice of ‘nonstandard’ standards is pleasingly refreshing.

Follow us

Jazzwise Print

  • Latest print issues

From £5.83 / month

Subscribe

Jazzwise Digital Club

  • Latest digital issues
  • Digital archive since 1997
  • Download tracks from bonus compilation albums during the year
  • Reviews Database access

From £7.42 / month

Subscribe

Subscribe from only £5.83

Never miss an issue of the UK's biggest selling jazz magazine.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Jazzwise magazine.

Find out more