Here’s a note for the song “Recommended Tools:” “[It] started as an exploration of the interval of the 5th in the context of the blues.” As soon as I read that, I knew I was out of my league. There are other notes, too, about scales and twelve tone improvising. Yeah, some smart musical stuff here.
McCaslin is a saxophone player and does a nice job, although I felt his tone was grating; sharp and fat, which sounds odd, but that’s how it sounded. The more I listen to Recommended Tools, the more I like the drummer. Jonathan Blake is a pleasure to listen to; he makes that kit stand up and dance, as it were.
My only real problem is that the music doesn’t seema approachable by us normal people. And there’s no real gusto to it, except that provided by Blake. He makes “Eventual” a fantastic excursion and adds a little verve to “Excursion.” The only standard on the CD is “Isfahan” and it is a heartfelt song. McCaslin gives his sax a dreamy feel and it wanders spectrally throughout. “Eventual” also has an Indian snake charmer refrain – kinda cool.
In his interview at The Jazz Session he discusses why he likes a trio format. He enjoys the freedom – each member can fill different roles. He also appreciated harmonic freedom, too, to roam. Additionally, it challenged him as a writer – wanted to make the CD interesting, though only a trio. It combines orchestration with improvisation.
The enjoyment of freedom is evident, but the music seems to lofty for the likes of me.
TRACK LISTING
- Recommended Tools
- Eventual
- Late Night Gospel
- Excursion
- Isfahan
- The Champion
- Margins of Solitude
- 3 Signs
- 2nd Hour Revisited
- Fast Brazil
