Al Foster Quartet – Love, Peace and Jazz – Jazzeyes004, 69:10 (2008) *****:
(Al Foster, drums; Kevin Hays, piano; Eli Degibri, soprano & tenor saxophones; Douglas Weiss, doublebass)
This live recording taken from two nights in April of 2007 at the Village Vanguard is simply post-bop defined. For my money, the Al Foster Quartet is the best regularly touring combo out there. Although all the participants have their own groups – Hays and Degibri both being leaders for recordings and dates – this unit reunites often and has worked almost 500 dates worldwide since 1997. Somewhat like Billy Higgins, Al Foster has been in the drum seat for hundreds of topflight sessions starting with Blue Mitchell and including Miles, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner and just about every other household name. This gem, however, is only his second release as a leader. The band itself reminds me of the Don Pullen/George Adams Qrt heyday in the 80s as both represent the best live band of the time and both released VV gigs (with this one being vastly better recorded).
Mr. Foster, who amazingly does not read music, is now firmly established with Roy Haynes and Jack DeJohnette as three of the top drummers. This disc reveals the growth of his compositional skills. He provides three of the six cuts. Of course, in actually listening to the music I was left with the impression I had heard about 20 tunes. Such is the majesty of the arrangements and changes in tempos throughout. Whether within one song or the full program, which includes well- chosen titles by Wayne Shorter, Miles and Blue Mitchell. This variety is the key to the spectacular success of this release, enhanced by the empathy and group involvement of the participants. I’m sure the grand old spirit of the VV herself would proudly place this one with the all time classics she hosted for recording over the decades. A true treasure.
The first track written by Mr. Foster sets the tone sounding like three distinct pieces on one. A real beauty with wonderful solos by Degibri and Hays that enhance and enlighten. On Shorter’s “ESP” Degibri delivers his best solo, while Hays follows with a tempo-changer sounding more classical in origin. Mr. Foster, who is magnificent throughout, then follows with his first solo. After these two pieces, one realizes the level of an Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers show is being achieved.
“Blue and Green” brings a change of pace with piano, bass and brushes at a slow, languishing pace. You could hear a pin drop it’s so mesmerizing. Then suddenly, Pow! – off we go as Foster propels the tempo to a furious pace, letting out verbal shrieks of encouragement. Hays is stupendous and the percussive drive is royalty until returning to a slow pace to close it out. This is brilliant programming and execution.
The next two tracks are Foster compositions. “Peter’s Mood” starts off with “Jack in the Box” and “When You Wish Upon a Star” snippets. The tune is a children’s themes delight with classical and Latin rhumba influences. Gorgeous sax work is followed by sumptuous piano. Up to this point, bassist Douglas Weiss has served as the musical equivalent of a perennial all-pro offensive lineman – solid blocking with no sacks given up. Now he gets his first solo and delivers admirably. Foster reverts to brushes and demonstrates his ability to project the overall group sound he’s looking for through his percussive support. “Brandyn” starts off with a drum solo tastefully setting the tone. Then you get the jolt of Degibri’s second best solo and are forced to wonder: “Where did this guy come from?” – his statement is just astoundingly superb. A major sax voice has been unleashed. The crisp, precise soloing of Hays follows before another bass solo. This track exemplifies the quality of this release. The sonics are incredible, both through the engineering and the leader’s vision of what the group is there to project and how to present it.
Drums start the final calypso “Fungii Mama”. Foster solidifies his greatness with masterly stick and cymbals as the group throws down the gauntlet while successfully achieving the standard set by Sonny Rollins for this type of number. Actually, this piece encapsulates what “Love, Peace and Jazz” is all about – a clarion call announcing the presence of THE live touring group. Ladies and gentleman, this disc deserves placement on the all-time live performance pedestal populated by the relatively few legendary ones actually caught on tape. As I said earlier, this simply defines post bop jazz performance and has earned a place in the live jazz cannon. Easily the best live quartet recording of the decade so far. Complete and total killer!
TrackList: The Chief, ESP, Blue in Green, Peter’s Mood, Brandyn, Fungii Mama
– Birney K. Brown
