ORNETTE COLEMAN — Free Jazz

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4.08 | 22 ratings | 2 reviews

Album · 1961

Filed under Avant-Garde Jazz
By ORNETTE COLEMAN

Tracklist

A Free Jazz (Part 1) 19:55
B Free Jazz (Part 2) 16:28

CD track list:
1 Free Jazz 37:03
2 First Take 17:00

Line-up/Musicians

Heard on the left channel
Ornette Coleman, alto saxophone
Donald Cherry, pocket trumpet
Scott LaFaro, bass
Billy Higgins, drums

Heard on the right channel
Eric Dolphy, bass clarinet
Freddie Hubbard, trumpet
Charlie Haden, bass
Ed Blackwell, drums

About this release

Atlantic – SD 1364 (US)

Recorded on December 21, 1960, at A&R Studios, New York City

Thanks to kazuhiro for the addition and snobb, Abraxas for the updates

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In 1961 this record was about as radical and out there as jazz got. During the late 50s-early 60s, Ornette Coleman had managed to catch the media’s eye and had become the lightning rod for all things avant-garde. Although there were others who were pushing the envelope, it was Coleman who was literally on the front lines in the eyes of the general public. His first recordings in 1959, that featured his quartet playing in a free manner, had shocked the jazz world. Deciding to up the ante in 1961, Coleman recorded “Free Jazz” with two simultaneously jamming free jazz quartets in a move that most critics assumed would result in total cacophony. Surely when it first appeared this album probably sounded like total cacophony to most, but it is great to re-visit this old masterpiece and hear just how classic and true to the spirit of original jazz Coleman and his cohorts are on this LP.

The album opens with a quick flurry of notes that sounds like two be-bop bands running into each other before the horns announce the long held notes that become the theme for this piece. From here the horn players began their various solos and the other horn players either back off and let the soloist ride alone, or chip in with improvised counter melodies and riffs. The best moments come when all of the horn players are active in a free form polyphony that recalls the earliest days of jazz. “Free Jazz” was probably the closest jazz had been to its real roots in a long time. Other high points in the recording come towards the end when the two bassists play a very musical simultaneous solo followed by the two drummers interlocking subtle polyrhythms.

This double quartet format is a structure that Coleman would return to later in his career with many of his Prime Time harmelodic jazz rock ensembles. The presence of so many contrapuntal voices definitely brings out some of the best features in Coleman’s unique musical vision. Its great to re-visit “Free Jazz” in the light of all that has happened in jazz since. Its rootsy, earthy approach to improvisation does not sound so radical anymore as it just sounds very natural. If you get this on vinyl you will also get the excellent Jackson Pollock "White Light" gate-fold cover in a total celebration of early 60s beatnik hipster creativity.

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Members reviews

smartpatrol

Free Jazz had been recorded and released before, but this is where the name of the genre came from. And I son't think there is a better album that gives an example of Free Jazz. This certain album is by two quartets, one on each channel. One the left we have Ornette Coleman on bass clarinette, Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Scott LaFaro on up-right bass, and Billy Higgins and drums. On the right we have Eric Dolphy on bass clarinet, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Charlie Hadden on up-right bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums. Both rhythm secons play in together in the same time signature, while the horns improve ontop of them, making a wild and crazy thirty-seven minute surreal soundscape.

I usualy list my favorite tracks from the album at this point, but there is only one on the album.

Free Jazz is, in my opinion, the exemplar Free Jazz album that inspired a genre and a whole new batch of musicians. However, for some, it is definatley an aquired taste. Three and a half stars.