Though unmentioned in the liner notes or anywhere else in the CD package, the core of the repertoire on this album from tenor saxophonist Ohad Talmor comes from his transcriptions of a 1998 Ornette Coleman rehearsal tape with his long-time colleagues Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins, along with fellow altoist Lee Konitz, as they prepared for a single performance later that year at the Umbria Jazz Festival. While the release contains some well-known themes from Coleman and sometime frontline partner Dewey Redman, the bulk of these 24 pieces are variations Talmor created on the tunes on the tape.
Working primarily with bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Eric McPherson, the saxophonist also enlisted a variety of guests bringing different perspectives and approaches to some of the Coleman pieces, including “Quartet Variations on Tune 8," a glorious polyphonic trio of Talmor and trumpeters Russ Johnson and Shane Endsley, all improvising simultaneously, prodded only by McPherson. The first disc sticks with acoustic arrangements, the trio handling seven of 10 pieces on its own, the agile rhythm section giving Talmor fleet support as he works his way through previously unheard nuggets and vintage gems like "Kathlyn Grey." The second disc is expansive yet introspective, with electronics and effects entering the fold. These fragments ultimately serve as the lens through which Talmor reveals the current diapason of his practice more than Ornette arcana.
Back to the Land: Seeds; Trio Variations on Tune 11; Accords-Quintet Variations on Tune 12; Kathlyn Grey; Dewey's Tune; Trio Variations on Tune 6; Quartet Variations on Tune 8; Trio Variations (fast) on Tune 7; New York; Mushi Mushi; Accords for Two; Trio Variations on Tune 1; Accords for Five; Trio Variations on Tune 2; Electric Sunglasses; Back to the Land; Quartet Variations on Tune 4-Peace Warriors; Four Sextet Variations on Tune 4; Accords for Four, Astonishment; Quartet Variations on Tune 3; A Good Question; Quintet Variations on Tune 10. (81:10)
Personnel: Ohad Talmor, tenor saxophone, MiniMoog, Prophet 10, programming; Chris Tordini, basses; Eric McPherson, drums; Joel Ross, vibraphone; David Virelles, Leo Genovese, piano; Shane Endsley, Russ Johnson, Adam O'Farrill, trumpet; Denis Lee, bass clarinet; Grégoire Maret, harmonica.
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