Good and tense

Press, 22 October 1980, Page 20

Good and tense

Light and □CIZZ

Peter Brittenden

Terje Rypdal Waves. ECM \ Terje Rypdal is regarded as one of Europe’s best jazz musicians and a leading exponent of the tense, introverted style of jazz which is in favour with many enthusiasts at the moment:

There is little spontaneity about Waves. The guitar playing of Rydal and trumpet or flugelhom playing of Palle Mikkelborg is very carefully structured and obviously aimed at satisfying listeners who enjoy jazz at its most abstract. Although the type of Jazz I enjoy usually has a reasonably obvious melodic structure, sets my feet tapping, and satisfies all the senses, Waves went much further than making an interesting change. Rydal’s guitar playing is, on most of the tracks anyway, masterfully-con-trolled savagery. He "attacks” the listener on the first two tracks — Per Ulv and Karusell — with some soaring string plucking. The style of Mikkelborg, on both trumpet and flugelhom, is familiar to any Miles Davis fan.

Although it would be Mikkelborg a grave injustice to say his and Davis’s styles are similar obviously Mikkelborg has been influenced by the haunting intense playing on one of the best-known albums recorded by Miles Davis — “My Funny Valentine.”

The drumming of Jon Christensen is easy to be enthusiastic about. Christensen has a real flair for understatement punc-

tuating the free-ranging guitar or trumpet with crisp, deft stickwork. On "Per” Ulv Christensen holds the set together in spite of some interesting tempo changes instigated by the front-line players. For many the bass playing of Sveinung Hovensjo could be a little understated. Unlike many of the more flamboyant bass players around at the mtment Hovensjo is happy to sit back and lay down the basics. The ECM label is renowned for the quality of its recordings — in both the musical and technical respects. Waves, for all its in* troversion, is an album performed by four extremely skilled musicians, and the recording is as good as I’ve heard. It even sounded fantastic on our $lOO stereo. « $ ’!»

The Brecker Eros. Detente. EMI.

Being a Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears fan from way back made it easy to enjoy the tight,

up-tempo tracks on Detente* T < * * • • w Both Michael (tenor saxophone and flute) and Randy (trumpet and flugelhorn) and Breckeor made their reputations as session musicians in New York.

Now they have made a step forward and are making records in their own right and employing some of the best session musicians available at the moment.

Although neither Michael nor Randy plays with large amounts of skill Detente is satisfying listening for those who enjoy their jazz on the lighter side. Airto Moreira, percussion, and Hiram Bullock, guitar, add a lot of class to this recording. $ ;s|t »

On Tour. Kamahl. Philips.

For Kamahl fans another record to add to the collection. Most of the 12 tracks were recorded during Kamahl’s recent tour of Britain, the United States and Australia.

The quality of Kamahl’s voice cannot be denied, and this latest album — which contains “For the Good Times,” “Six Ribbons,” and "You Needed Me” is a guaranteed bestseller.. ■