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JJ 01/65: Andrew Hill – Judgment

Sixty years ago Mike Shera noted that while Judgment was a more complete dedication to 'the new thing', it didn't represent a severance of all connection with the post-bop world. First published in Jazz Journal January 1965

This second album by Hill is in some ways even more remarkable than his first (Black Fire, Blue Note 4151). Because tenorist Joe Hender­son and drummer Roy Havnes are replaced by Bobby Hutcherson (vibes) and Elvin Jones, there is a more complete dedication to ‘the new thing’.

Not that all connection with the post-bop movement has been severed: Hill is still a very melodic player, and can still sound (comparatively speaking) conventional. His work on Yokada for example, a blues in B-flat, brings to my mind McCoy Tyner’s early playing, with splattering, skittering single note lines and characteristic ascending phrases. From Hill’s point of view, this is perhaps the least success­ful track, but it would serve as a good intro­duction to those unfamiliar with his work, and who cannot face plunging straight in at the deep end.

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Compositionally, Hill’s writing (he wrote all six tunes) is as interesting and varied as it was on his first album. Perhaps the most interesting track is Siete Ocho (which means 7/8 time in Spanish) with its repeated vamp figure and unusual time signature. Alfred, dedi­cated to Blue Note’s Alfred Lion, has a gentle, lyrical quality which contrasts well with the turbulent playing on the other tracks.

Hill’s sidemen are magnificent. Richard Davis’ bass playing fully deserves his leader’s accolade as the ‘most versatile and consistent bass player on the scene today’. Vibist Bobby Hutcherson is becoming a very interesting and original soloist, who will undoubtedly make an even bigger impact in years to come. Elvin Jones is as rhythmically free, stimulating and exciting as one could wish for.

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This is not a record for casual listening. But if the listener cares to concentrate, he will find it a rewarding and worthwhile experience.

Discography
Siete Ocho; Flea Flop; Yokada Yokada (22 min)  – Alfred; Judgement; Reconciliation (21 min)
Bobby Hutcherson (vbs); Andrew Hill (p); Richard Davis (bs); Elvin Jones (d). Englewood Cliffs., N.J., spring ’64.
(Blue Note BPL 4159 12inLP 45s. 3d.)

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