This record could never be classified under that rather nebulous term ‘Third Stream’. Weber uses the cellos of the Sudfunk Symphony, Stuttgart as well as straight vocal parts. Yet he does not attempt a synthesis of the classical and jazz forms. Each plays its part and we are left with a concept similar to that of musique concrète, where a background strata contrasts with a foreground without any true interaction.
There is no reason why this should not succeed and parts of this album are extremely intriguing. The cello section plays its part brilliantly but apart from the leader, the jazz soloists are not strong enough to make this a totally successful project. Weber’s solo on Colours is particularly strong – displaying considerable invention and giving real attention to musical accuracy.
All of the themes are by Weber and they are both varied and stimulating. The arrangements they receive are perhaps less pleasing, however, and the faintly oriental overtones on the title track and the vocal contributions, where they appear, add nothing to the total idea. Nevertheless, this is a very brave attempt at an idiom that has defeated many more prominent figures and, if nothing else, it does once again draw attention to the burgeoning talents of Weber himself.
Discography
More Colours; The Colours Of Chloe; An Evening With Vincent Van Ritz (20¼ min) – No Motion Picture (20 min)
Ack Van Rooven (fgl-hn); Rainer Bruninghaus (pno/synth); Weber (elb); Peter Giger (dm/perc). Add Ralf Hubner (dm) on ‘Chloe’. Ludwigsburg, December 1973.
(ECM ST 1042 £2.85)
