Henry Threadgill/Zooid
(Pi)
It took Ornette Coleman about 40 years to get the accolades he deserved in mainstream circles so figure that fellow jazz saxman will be over due in about 2015 (having started in the mid-‘70s with trio Air). Unfortunately, most of Threadgill's discography is out of print now so any new album like this is an event.
Zooid is his new millennium band who he's now recorded three albums with, and here, he's done away with exotic instrumentation (oud, cello) while relying more on his flute than his sax and letting his band shine. Guitarist Liberty Ellman has a nice fluid style, drummer Elliot Humberto Kavee provides nimble playing and Jose Davilla's tuba adds buoyant backing throughout. Theme-wise, Threadgill goes from his abstract roots in the AACM collective ("White Wednesday off the wall," "Mirror mirror the verb") to Ornette harmolodic liveliness ("To undertake my corners open," "Sap") to funky, bouncy romps ("After some time," "Chairmaster").
Threadgill remains a fascinating composer and bandleader throughout, making his ongoing relative obscurity seem criminal.
Standout Tracks: "To undertake my corners open," "Chairmaster" JASON GROSS
