Joe Lovano Us Five - Cross Culture (2013)

[HenryMc]

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I've never been a great Joe Lovano fan. Here’s always been one of those guys I had bought, listened to the albums and wanted to love rather than actually love all the time. I guess I liked the idea of Lovano but there were times when I found his tone harsh and to my tin ears forced but from Folk Art onwards I have increasingly been drawn to Lovanos work. Maybe its that Joe is now one of the elder statesmen of jazz. So I came to this album wanting to love it. It has a top band of drummers Francisco Mela and Otis Brown III, pianist James Weidman, and bassist Esperanza Spalding (Peter Slavov on a few tracks) and Lionel Loueke, whose African influences should be a real plus.
So you can hear lovano’s influences straight up though tempered by the last 60 years . I hear bird in some places, ornette in others. In some spots it feels like an exercise in world rather than seamless interplay. It comes over as ‘studious” in many places but in others(not enough though) it has that warmth that you can just get lost in (Golden Horn).

What is funny is that for several songs we are taken on this post bop journey and then are dragged back to the forties with Royal Roost (which in truth made me want to get out some 40’s /50’s bop sides). On the final two tracks, Modern Man and PM, I hear Paul Motian (not a bad thing) and I smiled at his memory and I guess that is what I was supposed to do.

This is modern straight ahead jazz with a hint of exploration of world music but just a hint. Loueke at times sounds like hes playing a different groove. It benefits from high class musicians playing with intensity and feel. Its drawbacks are the same as many modern albums in the digital age, just because you have the space to expand you don’t always have to. Sometimes the solos go for a bar or two longer than maintains interest. I am not a great fan of the mix though as Loueke seems to get a bit lost in it even when he is (I guess) supposed to be on the frontline. I would love to hear some Loueke and Lovano interplay , maybe without the drummers, where the guitar and saxes could weave sinewy lines rather than compete with the drummers who are creating tones rather than a groove and that is what I ultimately think makes this a three star (and a half if im being generous) rather than 5 star release. On some tracks the rhythm section kicks ass (drum chant) on others it is merely busy.

[Tom Storer]

I haven't heard this one yet, but I will. I love Us Five's previous release, which was their take on Bird tunes. I saw them live, with Peter Slavov on bass, and they were fantastic. Otis Brown III and Francisco Mela are the best working drummer pair since Kenny Clarke and Kenny Clare.

But there is one thing that gives me pause with this new one: Judy Silvano on vocals. I've never particularly enjoyed her collaborations with Lovano. Maybe this one will change my mind.

[HenryMc]

Tom, JS is not on this record

[Tom Storer]

Oops! My mistake. Now how did I get the idea she was?

[investigates]

It must be because she appeared in concert with them and I saw the announcement...

[HenryMc]

When you hear it , I will be interested in your impressions of the cd. (I hate the ipad ..the auto correct is really interesting)

[Ron Thorne]

It's (obviously) a personal thing, but I dig Judi Silvano's contributions to Joe's groups. Some more than others, to be honest, but enjoy her additions overall. I had a chance to hear and meet them when my son and I attended the Portland Jazz Festival in 2009, and was most impressed. Most recently, I caught their live performances two nights in a row as they were streamed from Lincoln Center with double drummers and double basses, piano, guitar + Judi — Us Eight. She and Joe know each other in ways most musicians in a group simply cannot, and their musical interweaving and anticipation is intriguing to me. She's another horn player to my ears.

On top of everything else, Joe Lovano and Judi Silvano are lovely, unassuming people.

[HenryMc]

Totally agree Ron. Just decided that I would listen and 'review' new releases as I hear them. Maybe we can get some discussions going about music. I will check out more Judi though sometimes that voice as horn thing does get weary to me..but I am prepared to be wowed

[HenryMc]

Tom/Ron ..you may dig this ..if you haven't seen it ...http://www.bluenote.com/blue-note-tv...r-joe-lovano-p

[BlueMiles]

I'd like to hear Judi do more straight readings of jazz songs--that is, sing the lyrics. I remember seeing her in concert with Joe and the Nonet (quite a ways back now), and she did a great rendition of "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing."

[Bourne]

(I hate the ipad ..the auto correct is really interesting)

I don't care for the autocorrect, so I turned it off.

AndI love my iPad.