Russell now seems committed to recording with big bands and his Lydian gig, so beautifully realised with the medium-sized unit, translates with increasing ease to the larger aggregation. The reasons for this are various. In the main, it is not because he uses elements of jazz chamber music, unisons that remember the mainstream virtues, because he takes rhythmic nods toward rock or that all are spiced with the unique Russell dissonances. It is because all of these musical colours are seamlessly juxtaposed on an orchestral palette to create a whole that really flows.
Added to this are solo statements that are really plus factors. There is Harrell’s lyrical trumpet throughout, Harris’ shapely solo on Ezz-thetic, and Ray Anderson’s magnificent trombone on every title. Russell has got the right band for his needs and, in bassist McClure and drummer Lewis, he has a two-man rhythm team that can really carry the weight. He must have listened to these playbacks with some satisfaction.
Discography
(a) Time Spiral (22.30) – (b) Ezz-thetic; (b) D. C. Divertimento (26.45)
(a) Ron Tooley (t); Stanton Davis (t); Tom Harrell (t); Ray Anderson (tb); Earl Mclntyre (tb); Marty Ehrlich (as/f); Doug Miller (ts/f); Bob Hanlon (bs); Jerome Harris (g); Ron McClure (b); Jack Reilly (key); Mark Soskin (key); Victor Lewis (d); George Russell (cond). New York 30 & 31/7/82. (b) as (a) but Brian Leach (t) replaces Davis.
(Soul Note SN 1049)
