Abstraction seems to be Kenny Wheeler’s stock-in-trade, and given that, he’s well suited to the ECM label. This new record concentrates on the hazier side of modern jazz composition, where soloists skirt and wheel around harmonies that are themselves only sketchily stated. Sometimes, it seems possible that the whole band are playing free, and the result is a mood of irresolution.
Foxy Trot has the most clearly defined riff on the record, which is carried by Holland’s bass. Neither Wheeler, whose solo darts about frantically without going in any particular direction, nor Taylor, who makes rather vague statements in his solo, take full advantage of the solid bass line. Brecker is better equipped to deal with this, and his excursion is very reminiscent of his contribution to an earlier ECM recording, Pat Metheny’s 80/81. As ever, he displays great technique, ideas and phrasing and takes care to build climaxes.
Ma Bel has John and Kenny in duo, sounding as if they were carrying on an improvised dialogue, while W.W. has Brecker and Wheeler echoing each other’s phrases before riding into a medium up swinger. The last of Kenny’s cool comments is restated unerringly by Mike as he starts his own solo.
The whole of side two is filled by what might be called a three-piece suite. Wheeler’s outings are oddly superficial, perhaps because when both harmony and soloist are so far out, it’s difficult to know who to believe. Brecker does not suffer this problem, because his improvisations have their own powerful internal logic and could support themselves even in a musical vacuum. DeJohnette gets his chance to speak alone towards the end of the suite and proves that he is still among the best when it comes to dynamic control and precision.
Wheeler fans will want this album anyway, while the unconverted will buy it for the Brecker while they make up their minds.
Discography
Foxy Trot; Ma Bel; W.W. (25.45) – Three For Dream/Blue For Lou/Mark Time (23.28)
Kenny Wheeler (t/flh); Mike Brecker; (ts); John Taylor (p); David Holiand (b); Jack DeJohnette (d). Recorded May 1983, Power Station, New York.
(ECM 1262)