Sean Trane
The first of AH’s album to bear an exclamation mark in its title, and one of my fave of his early career. Indeed Judgment features one of my preferred jazz drummer, Elvin Jones, but also a return appearance of Hutcherson on vibes and the now-AH-faithful Davis on bass, but it is Elvin’s most solid drumming that lifts the album above the rest. Coming with a typical Blue Note blue artwork (it seems that blue & a tad of green were AH’s signature colours early on), Judgement!’s release in early 64 might seem a little behind other jazz albums, most notably Trane’s ALS.
Right from the opening Siete Ocho (for 7/8), it is Elvin’s fairly violent skin-pounding that lifts all three of his team-mates, while Hutch’s vibes are floating above Hill’s haunting piano, but it’s Davies and Jones’ modal playing that pull the real magic. This opening track is easily the album’s highlight, and the only one that could eventually lead to the Compulsion album. The following Flea Flop is much more conventional, though it has a real swing quality despite (thankfully-short) bass & drums solos. Still entertaining, though. Yokada could be almost straight out from a Brubeck album, if Desmond’s sax was replaced with Hutch’s vibes. On the flipside, the soporific Alfred, even if Hill’s piano and Davis’ bass do unorthodox and naughty things to each other. The title track is also another enjoyable moment, but fails to match Ocho and Flop’s energy levels; the closing Reconciliation is a bit tedious, because by this time, Judgment is spending it rehabilitation time in the purgatory, and yours attention has already wandered on whether to hear some Mwandishi or some Metallica next.
Overall, Judgment! is an enjoyable album that could’ve used a horn blower for a wider sonic spectrum and maximum effects. The Blue Note remaster features one bonus alternate track (the weakest of the album, IMHO) that is mostly of interest to unconditional fans. Not a bad album, but far away from Compulsion’s 5 “!”.