MIKE CLARK — Kosen Rufu With Eddie Henderson (review)

MIKE CLARK — Kosen Rufu With Eddie Henderson album cover Album · 2023 · Hard Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
snobb
Legendary "Headhunter", Mike Clark, who only released a dozen albums as leader in three decades, just released already his second studio work this year. Even more unusual, differently from his work in Hancock's Headhunters and all series of his own albums, the music on both of his new albums isn't funk-jazz at all. Clark is obviously returning to pre-funk-jazz mainstream, propelling it right to the second decade of a new Millennium.

The sextet contains another former Headhunter, percussionist Bill Summers, legendary trumpeter (and former member of another Herbie Hancock band, Mwandishi) Eddie Henderson, veteran double-bassist Henry Franklin, eclectic keyboardist Wayne Horvitz (renown by his collaborations with John Zorn and Bill Frisell among others) and punk-jazz sax player Skerik. It's quite surprising, that such an unorthodox collective plays well controlled and precisely framed bop. True, the arrangements are very contemporary and makes the entire music very attractive. No surprise then, that among the original compositions there is a classic version of Eric Dolphy's "Hat and Beard" from possibly the most renown free-bop album in jazz history, "Out To Lunch". Six decades after the original's release, such music can hardly be described as "avant-garde jazz", as it was in 1964, but the addition of this genre-defining composition from the past helps a lot to understand what Clark's "Kosen Rufu" is about.

In fact, the great drummer recorded his very own "Out To Lunch" for the second decade of 00's. Rooted in the best bop tradition of the 50s, with help from extra-skilled collaborators, Clark presents a very contemporary sounding "new-bop", very percussive, tuneful and full-bodied. Perfectly recorded (with "old school" crystal clear warm sound), the album's music contains extended moody Henderson trumpet soloing over the groovy physical rhythm section on many songs. Former Headhunters' background sparkles perfectly on funky "BBQ on Auseon" and "Signature". "Luconchu's Night Out" demonstrates high energy with both reeds dueling. Some freer improvs never destroy the quite comfortable music flow.

Very modern sounding album which at the same time perfectly illustrates what the real Jazz (with big "J") is, the feeling that has been partially forgotten for a while. Many listeners will return back to this music again and again.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Cabaret Eclectic Fusion
MARIUS NESET
Buy this album from MMA partners
Living Ghosts Post-Fusion Contemporary
MICHAEL WOLLNY
Buy this album from MMA partners
Live at Donte's, Vol. 1 Vocal Jazz
MIKE CAMPBELL
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sunday Afternoon Fusion
FURIO DI CASTRI
Buy this album from MMA partners
São Paulo Creative 4 : Supernova Avant-Garde Jazz
IVO PERELMAN
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Sunday afternoon
FURIO DI CASTRI
snobb· 6 hours ago
Harmônicos
FABIANO DO NASCIMENTO
js· 20 hours ago
Con Alma
GENE BERTONCINI
js· 23 hours ago
Our Walk (Live)
BEN MARKLEY
js· 1 day ago
Solar (feat. Vicente Archer & Otis Brown III)
JERRY LÉONIDE
js· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed