Rich Halley - Back From Beyond
The Rich Halley Quartet's newest release comes almost exactly a year after their last album, Requiem For a Pit Viper, a work which captured the free wheeling yet focused approach of this Quartet. Back From Beyond is not only a more cohesive effort from the band in terms of their personal sound, but also demonstrates the overall musicality of each player within a constantly varying musical atmosphere.
Back From Beyond is, compositionally, a far more diversified album. Though the obvious influence of free jazz pioneers such as Ornette Coleman and the Sun Ra Arkestra remains present, bits of bebop and funk grooves find their way into the textures of many tunes. Spuds, an original composition which opens the album, begins as an up-tempo bebop tune, but quickly shifts into a loose free improvisation involving each musician to varying degrees throughout the tune. At times, Halley's lines maintain a strong swing feel, and seem to outline an obvious chord structure, showcasing his study of the more conventional saxophonists within the jazz idiom. Halley is adept at controlling the more extended techniques of the saxophone used for free improvisation, such as over-blowing and firing off late Coltrane-esque flurries of notes. Both the avant-garde and straight ahead jazz find their way into his lexicon. Halley's tone is reminiscent of Joe Henderson, and possesses a natural growl which seems to cut through the whirlwind of sound being generated by the band. Other moments during this tune feel completely removed from any sort of structure whatsoever, especially during bassist Clyde Reed's extended solo. This type of musical freedom does not overextend itself into the realm of abrasive free jazz, but rather remains relevant without becoming redundant.
The increasingly sympathetic style of the band, even during times of intense buildup, coupled with a more sensitive dynamic approach makes this record much stronger than Requiem For a Pit Viper. This release lends itself more readily to repeat listens, especially amongst a jazz audience. This is not to say that the musical quality has been decreased in favor of a more commercial aesthetic. Rather, the Quartet has simply evolved and crafted their concept into a much stronger offering.
Rich Halley - Back From Beyond (Pine Eagle Records 2012)
Rich Halley - tenor sax, wood flute, percussion, Michael Vlatkovich - trombone, percussion, squeak toys, Carson Halley - drums, percussion, Clyde Reed - bass
