This album is a significant one in the Evans discography, for it dates from the time when he was introducing electric (and later electronic) instruments into his band, was experimenting with rock rhythms for the first time, and, most importantly, was coming out of a lengthy period of writing, punctuated by rare public performances, and was concentrating instead on regular gigs with a regular band: the legendary Village Vanguard weekly sessions started in 1970, right between the dates for these two sets.
As such, there is a pivotal feel to much of the music on this album: while the rock rhythms are well assimilated, the instrumentation is more often not. On a track such as George Russell’s Blues In Orbit, Joe Beck’s chiming electric guitar sits uneasily with the rich brass voicings, while Evans’ electric piano, while largely innocuous, still sounds ill at ease in this acoustic company by virtue of its electric timbre.
None of which detracts from the overall feel of this set, which is one of glorious suppleness, the band displaying none of the rock-afflicted arthritis it acquired later in life. Lover In The Open has a infectious bounce to it that slowly degenerates into a lightly cacophonous melée, while the brief Proclamation and the intriguing Spaced show risks being taken, and paying off. All in all, a welcome reissue for one Evans’ most adventurous sets.
Discography
Thoroughbred*; Spaced; Love In The Open; Variation On The Misery; Blues In Orbit*; Proclamation; General Assembly; So Long (36.18)
Snooky Young, Mike Lawrence (t); Jimmy Cleveland, Jimmy Knepper (tb); Julius Watkins (frh); Howard Johnson (tba); Hubert Laws (f); Billy Harper (ts); Gil Evans (p/elp); Joe Beck (elg); Gene Bianco (hp); Herb Bushier (elb); Sue Evans (pc); Elvin Jones (d). Recorded New York, 1969. On *: Ernie Royal, Johnny Coles (t); Garnett Brown; Jimmy Cleveland (tb); Ray Alonge (frh); George Marge (f/ts); Billy Harper (ts); Howard Johnson (tba/bar); Gil Evans (p/elp); Joe Beck (elg); Herb Bushier (elb); Donald McDonald (pc); Alphonse Mouzon (d). Recorded New York, 1971.
(Enja CD 3069 2)
