Amalgam have changed considerably since the superb Blackwell & Higgins album, made in 1972 and 1973. This album is made up of five striking tunes and the approach to each varies. The only thing constant in their treatment is that none are played free. When Is Now and Austrian Roll build out gradually jn the classic Ayler way, each variation further from the germ idea, yet never out of sight. Suzi Jay, in contrast, is treated like a normal ‘changes’ improvisation and has some delicate solo work. Watts writes well in this style and this item reminds me of the beautiful Judy’s Smile, to my knowledge no longer in their book.
The real difference is that Stevens plays time on every track and leaves the rhythmic departures to his colleagues. Fortunately this is something he has always done well and without a hint of monotony. A pulse stated by Stevens is never a static thing and true to form he plays around the beat here. Tippett plays well, soloing with conviction on the excellent Staggering but also producing the vamps that are required with drive and conviction. The bass players are used with imagination but the rather superfluous conga parts do fall into the same tonal range and tend to reduce their effectiveness.
The outstanding man on the date, however, is Watts. He can rarely have played with more authority, his ideas are beautifully organised and his approach moves from blistering scalar flurries to gentle thematic variations. On Hello we even get a taste of the blues with an item that is not structurally a twelve bar but which has the feeling of the jook joint.
Discography
Staggering; When Is Now (22¼ min) – Hello; Suzie Jay; Austrian Roll (20¾ min)
Trevor Watts (alt); Keith Tippett (pno); Kent Carter (bs); Lindsay Cooper (bs); John Stevens (dm); Terri Quaye (conga). Chipping Norton 12/11/74.
(Tangent TGS 121)
