Like a brilliant scientist, Henry Threadgill continues the
ongoing exploration of his singular system of integrating composition with
group improvisation. His mission is to completely deconstruct standard the jazz
form and rebuild it from the ground up. This album features his Zooid group
with Threadgill on alto saxophone and flute, Liberty Ellman on guitar, Jose
Davila on tuba and trombone, Elliot Humberto Kavee on drums and percussion and Christopher
Hoffman on cello. Threadgill challenges himself to write for these individual
musicians a la Duke Ellington, but in the context on the music as a while. “In
For a Penny In For a Pound” is a short opening track, which has flute and tuba
developing a happy medium tempo feel, with tuba supporting delicately plucked
guitar and bowed cello. Threadgill’s vivid saxophone rings true on “Ceroepic
(For Drums And Percussion)” before shape shifting to mysterious flute shaded by
spare cello. This is a lengthy performance and it moves in a suite like fashion
and the musicians hit their cues every time. Threadgill sets up Kavee for his
fine percussive feature with a very deep rhythm, building heavier as hollow
sounding flute and trombone try to cut in on his action. “Dosepic (for cello)”
closes disc one with Hoffman opening the proceedings with a melancholy air. He
has no time to brood as the pace picks up quickly choosing his sports against
the drums and trombone blurring and blending and looking for the upper hand.
They pay off comes toward the end of the performance where Threadgill clears
the slate with slashing lines of saxophone, emptying the floor for an intricate
dance of cello and percussion. The lonely sound of unaccompanied cello is soon
joined by guitar and easy-going tuba, which lifts everybody’s spirits on “Tresepic
(for trombone and tuba).” Ellman’s guitar is light an expressive and leads
Davila and Kavee into a great raveup section for tuba, guitar and drums. The
final track “Unoepic (for guitar)” pulls all of the musical threads together,
giving much deserved space to Liberty Ellman along with the entire cast of
characters using a kaleidoscopic array of colors and hues that are not limited
by jazz but draw on modern classical, world music and beyond. Although Henry
Threadgill doesn't record as often as other musicians, this makes his
statements all the more valuable. The Zooid ensemble has been one of his
longest running groups and it is clear that it continues to inspire him. The
compositions are unique and the amount of trust that he places in his fellow
musicians to bring them to life is reciprocated by their hard work and energy.
In for a Penny in for a Pound - amazon.com
