Lacy/Cox/Humair--Work

[Chris Castelle]

A new recording on the Sketch label, which was also responsible for the double-disc set that featured Ellery Eskelin in a band led by the Swiss drummer Daniel Humair. This is essentially a Lacy date, and perhaps his most recent to date--recorded in May of last year. It's great to hear Minneapolis-bassed bassist Anthony Cox on a recent recording--he did some great work with Marty Ehrlich in the late 80's/early 90's and then seemed to fade from the scene when he moved out west.


It's a great thrill to hear Lacy mixing things up with an unfamiliar rhythm section, and he sounds inspired and in great technical form. There are three Lacy originals, pieces by Humair and Cox, a collective improvisation, Monk's In Walked Bud (but not Work!), and, most interestingly, Louis Sclavis' composition Maputo. The disc is fairly short in terms of playing time--only 47 minute, but Lacy's music seems to lend itself well to a concentrated presentation, so it's almost appropriate that it stays under an hour.

A couple surprises are a brief overdubbed vocal by Lacy on his composition Tina's Tune and an unusual take on In Walked Bud, reserving the main theme for the very end of the piece.

Mostly, though, I just can't get over how good Lacy sounds, considering his age and the demanding nature of his instrument, and also my delight in hearing Cox in prime form after a long silence on record.

Absolutely recommended.

[Pete C]

Chris, have you heard Mike Nock's trio album "Not We But One" on Naxos (1998)? Cox is excellent on that one.

[Chris Castelle]

Haven't heard the Nock record--didn't realize that Cox had recorded in the late 90's. I do have a disc by the Nock-led New York Jazz Collective that I don't care for much--his tune Hadrian's Wall on the Cox-containing Marty Ehrlich date Side By Side is beautiful, though.

Oh yeah, the Lacy disc also includes a reading of Mal Waldron's Snake Out in addition to the tunes I mentioned.

[Armando]

There's a sample track from Work available on Sketch's web site: http://www.sketch-studio.com/sketch-jazz/17work.html

[gnhrtg]

I picked this up last week here and having listened to it more than a couple of times, I would second the recommendation.

There's not much I can but I just though I'd vouch for the album for those among you that are undecided. The timing is short and I do believe that some track could have sounded better, especially taking into account the wonderful feel created during the few (if not one?) bass solos. None of the tunes are too "out" or "free."

If you live anywhere in Europe (or better yet, in France) amazon has it for €14.

(Sketch seems to be doing pretty good, there's also another release titled "Ghost Ships," has anyone heard that?)

[Alain]

Originally posted by Pete C
Chris, have you heard Mike Nock's trio album "Not We But One" on Naxos (1998)? Cox is excellent on that one.

As are Mike nock and Tony Reedus.

Sketch issued a solo album of Cox with the Lacy one.

[Brian Olewnick]

Cox had a nice album back around 1990 (?) called "Dark Metals". I'd wondered once in a while what happened to him.

[Jim Sangrey]

Just listened to WORK this morning and find it superb. Lacy's focus on playing MUSIC instead of "style" continues to be an inspiration after all these years. Long may he live. Cox is rock-solid, and Humair is Humair, which can only mean good things.

Damn good record. No boundaries pushed other than those of refusing to fall victim to cliche and complacency, but that's more than enough for me.

[Paul B]

x

[Fred K]

I like this one a lot as well. After the first couple of songs I wasn't sure I was going to like Cox/Humair as much as I liked Avenel/Betsch, but they grew on me as the CD played on. Lacy sounds great.

[DavidM]

Anthony Cox appears on the brand new Ron Miles Quartet album The Laughing Barrel on Sterling Circle Records.