For his eighth recording for the SteepleChase label, trumpeter Ballou chose to take on perhaps the greatest challenge of all-spontaneous collective improvisation-with two musicians he has performed and recorded with before: bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Randy Peterson. Ballou came to the studio armed with written compositions just in case, but as he writes in his liner notes, “during the fourth take of the session…we found ourselves.” That fourth take is the first cut on Insistence, which presents takes four through eleven as recorded. Ballou gave titles to seven of the eight tracks after the session, “Once Round” being the exception only as it related to the predetermined structure, not content, of the piece.
Listening to this lucid, well-conceived, flowing music, one comes away amazed that it is indeed freely improvised. “Restraint” features an attractive loping and bluesy melody line from Ballou, who even briefly quotes “It Ain’t Necessarily So” during his delightful solo. “MF,” with its tense, staccato theme, produces a strong, variegated Ballou solo, mixing vocalized bursts and low long-held notes. “Insistence” nearly swings in spots, and Formanek contributes a riveting fleet-fingered solo. “Upon Reflection” has a hymnlike melodic exposition by Ballou, as well as Peterson’s complementary cymbal-dominated support, and builds to a fulfilling climax and release.
Formanek’s arco solo and supporting lines elevate “Randy Starts,” as does Ballou’s almost-braying, declarative improv, which never loses melodic substance. A highlight of “Once Round” is Ballou’s re-entry with an almost bagpipe-like sound quality, before bursting out with fat held-notes and then delicate, prodding tones. “Silly Dance and Coda” presents a theme reminiscent of an Ornette Coleman composition, with Ballou making like Don Cherry in his overtones and eerie breathiness. Peterson’s cymbal and drum work during “Finale” are exceptional; his multifaceted approach (check out his marvelous bass-drum accents) is an integral element to the overall success of this piece and the entire CD. This is stimulating, very accessible free jazz by three superb musicians in perfect rapport. - Scott Albin
This is the second album by Dave Ballou with only bass and drums in support, a real trumpet trio, an unfortunately all too uncommon line-up. Ballou is a great trumpeter, with broad background and expertience, who played amongst others with Rabih Abou-Khalil, Kenny Werner, Tom Varner, Satoko Fujii. To play in a trumpet trio setting you need to be strong both in the musical composition and in mastering the instruments : the players are not only vulnerable because of the exposure, but more importantly, you have to keep the listener's attention only through the musical power you bring, rather than through the breadth and depth of arrangements of a bigger band. Luckily, this trio with Michael Formanek on bass and Randy Peterson on drums is strong enough to avoid those pitfalls, bringing abstract improvized music, focussing on the interplay and the spontaneous joint creation. The CD starts a little hesitantly, almost vulnerable, but the title song "Insistence", brings some uptempo life into the album, not quite boppisch but close enough, with strong blues inflections in Ballou's playing. "Upon Reflection" is a slow meditative piece, with a melancholy trumpet, economically accompanied by the coloring accents of bass and drums. "Randy Starts" is not only the title of a song, but to all expectations the only preconceived part of a piece which starts with Randy Peterson's drums, giving the intro for the other two to join in. This is music which requires attention, music that is not readily accessible in the sense that rhythm and melody are not there on the surface of things, yet the quality of the playing closes a gap which all too often appears with too proficient instrumentalists : they play with soul, with warmth and with a directness of approach which appeals immediately. Ballou has what Dave Douglas often misses in my view : warmth. Recommended : for sensitive listeners who like some effort. - The Free Jazz Collective
Tracks
1. Restraint
2. MF
3. Insistence
4. Upon Reflection
5. Randy Starts
6. Once Round
7. Silly Dance And Coda
8. Finale
MICHAEL FORMANEK bass
RANDY PETERSON drums
DAVE BALLOU trumpet
All music composed by Dave Ballou
SteepleChase - SCCD 31611