For You Lot Chris Potter - 1998 Vertigo

Shortly before the recording of Vertigo, Chris Potter suffered partial hearing loss subsequently undergoing treatments for Ménière’s disease, an inner ear condition. Vertigo was inward fact i of the symptoms he had been experiencing. Despite (or mayhap because of) the somewhat frightening circumstance that led to its title, Vertigo is Potter's nearly mature as well as expressive move to date. "Almost Home" as well as "Wake Up" are 2 of his prettiest, nearly memorable melodies. "Fishy" as well as the championship rail characteristic bass clarinet overdubs that double Scott Colley's basslines, to cracking effect. "Shiva" opens the tape amongst an angular melodic line, stated inward unison amongst utmost precision past times Potter as well as guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, whose warm yet crisp tone is a delight. Drummer Billy Drummond trades 12-bar solo statements amongst Colley on "Long Walk, Short Pier," the get-go of 3 tracks to characteristic invitee tenor human being Joe Lovano. ("This Will Be," based on the criterion "My Shining Hour," as well as "Modeen's Mood," a free-form tribute to drummer Paul Motian, are the other two.) "Act III, Scene I" is a rubato meditation on the nearly famous Shakespeare soliloquy of them all ("To last or non to be"). Even to a greater extent than than Unspoken, Potter's superstar session amongst John Scofield, Dave Holland, as well as Jack DeJohnette, Vertigo reveals Potter every bit a purpose participant as well as composer amongst an uncommonly personal vision.

Everyone demonstrate wants to last a songwriter, it seems, as well as immature Chris Potter is no exception. All of the songs on Vertigo, Potter's 5th appointment nether his ain advert for Concord Jazz, were composed past times the 27-year-old South Carolinian, as well as none of them, to these ears, serves every bit to a greater extent than than a convenient springboard for improvisation. As for the latter, it is shared primarily past times Potter on tenor, bass clarinet or soprano (on "Wake Up"), guitarist Rosenwinkel as well as Potter's guest, Joe Lovano, who unlimbers his hard-edged, post-bop tenor on 3 numbers - "Long Walk, Short Pier," "This Will Be" as well as "Modeen's Mood" (the final dedicated to drummer Paul Motian). Potter, i time a immature lion, has been to a greater extent than or less for as well as thus long that he tin uphold the label one-time veteran, fifty-fifty though historic menstruation xxx isn't fifty-fifty on the horizon. His playing, i time fiery as well as straightforward, has undergone subtle changes too; he's move mellower as well as to a greater extent than introspective, added depth every bit good every bit vibrations to the repertoire, fifty-fifty though he reverts ofttimes to the "more-notes-I-can-spray-the-better" school. Is the novel approach to a greater extent than desirable? Depends on one's signal of take in (and how opened upward his or her heed is to novel concepts). Mine? It's opened upward alone a crack, I'm afraid. That is to say, the novel as well as improved Potter is non displeasing but I preferred the before hard-boppin' model - however, that's alone i person's opinion. As for Lovano, he moves easily into whatsoever given environment, as well as is solidly inward the groove here, matching Chris stride for stride on his 3 numbers. The 3rd solo voice, that of Rosenwinkel, is indeed a pleasant surprise. He knows his agency around, as well as fares quite good whenever his plough at bat arrives. In fact, his presence is sorely missed on the alone Potter/Lovano pairing - "Long Walk, Short Pier" - on which he's non included. Colley as well as Drummond are at that topographic point largely to maintain the beat flowing, which they arrive at amongst characteristic relaxation as well as assurance. In fact, everyone plays good - although Potter as well as Lovano arrive at scrape the blackboard of irksomeness from fourth dimension to fourth dimension - as well as if I were to a greater extent than enamored of Potter's still-developing prowess every bit a composer, the session would have to a greater extent than than a lukewarm endorsement.

 

Chris Potter's quartet shares the spotlight both individually as well as inward ensemble. The immature tenor saxophonist (Potter turned 27 this year) turns inward a dramatic prepare based on his ain compositions. As Zan Stewart states inward the liner notes, "... Potter stretches himself, his musicians as well as his audience, creating novel as well as challenging music ..."Working out of late inward the ensembles of trumpeter Dave Douglas, bassist Dave Kingdom of the Netherlands as well as The Mingus Big Band, Potter continues to explore the modern mainstream. Joe Lovano joins the quartet on "This Will Be," as well as "Modeen's Mood," as well as replaces Rosenwinkel on "Long Walk, Short Pier." Potter overdubs bass clarinet on "Vertigo" as well as "Fishy," as well as pianoforte on "Act III, Scene I."
Chis Potter plays tenor amongst a lush fluid tone, spontaneous creative ideas, as well as an openly emotional lyricism. Joe Lovano has a drier tone as well as is recorded on the correct channel, as well as thus you lot tin easily position the two. Working together, Potter as well as Lovano converse amongst creative near-screeches, moans as well as wails, as well as venture empathetic, sonorous phrases. Rosenwinkel's guitar spots are creative, but inward the mainstream idiom. His fresh approach remains lucid as well as articulate, never loud or harsh, as well as quite similar inward grapheme to the leader's. Colley supports the ensemble accurately, according to each composition's intent. From nonchalant walking stutter-steps to vocal-like spirals, the bassist infuses a fresh voice. Likewise, Drummond's crisp press rolls as well as varied drumhead textures create welcome solo scenes. Potter changes the timbre on "Wake Up" amongst his soprano saxophone voice. Vertigo is atenoralbum amongst fresh ideas from an exciting artist. Highly recommended.
 

Track Listing:

01. Shiva
02. Vertigo
03. Long Walk, Short Pier
04. Act III, Scene I
05. Fishy
06. This Will Be
07. Almost Home
08. Modeen's Mood
09. Wake Up

  Total fourth dimension (63:15).

Personnel:

Chris Potter, tenor as well as soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, piano
Kurt Rosenwinkel, guitar
Scott Colley, bass
Billy Drummond, drums
Joe Lovano, tenor saxophone (tracks 3, 6, 8).