This early quartet date from pianist Paul Bley is somewhat historic because it was the recording debut of both bassist Charlie Haden and vibraphonist Dave Pike. With drummer Lennie McBrowne completing the group, Bley explores a lot of unlikely material in an early postbop manner including Bill Harris'"Everywhere," Roy Eldridge's "I Remember Harlem" and some group originals. The liner notes by Carla Borg (soon to be Carla Bley), who has her "O Plus One" recorded by the group, are also noteworthy. - Scott Yanow
With the addition, in 1957, of vibist Dave Pike to what used to be a trio, the 24-year-old Canadian pianist, Paul Bley, formed the exciting quartet that recorded this excellent album, titled "Solemn Meditation," for Gene Norman.
Pike had a passion and jazz feeling that fired the band, and the contrast with Bleys angular, two-handed approach and time, more subtly pulsing than overtly driving, worked. Drummer McBrowne remained the guts of the group, driving his colleagues with intelligence and imagination, while Haden was a constantly growing bass player in close rapport with his teammate, and a reliable timekeeper. Although they lasted less than a year together, they played the kind of uncompromising jazz that graces this session.
The quartet placed a premium on originality, evident not only in the material chosen, which emphasised original composition, but also in exploring new methods of improvisation. And in both areas they displayed an unyielding commitment to a basically swinging conception that allowed them to gel and breathe.
Track
01. Birk's Works (Dizzy Gillespie)
02. O Plus One (Carla Bog)
03. Porgy (George Greshwin)
04. Solemn Meditation (Sam Gill)
05. I Remember Harlem (Eldridge/Astor/Williams)
06. Drum Two (Paul Bley)
07. Everywhere (Hill Harris)
08. Beau Diddley (Paul Bley)
09. Persian Village (Dave Pike)
10. Triangle (Pike/Goodman/Russell)
11. Valse Hot (Sonny Rollins)
12. Lullaby Of The Leaves (Bernice Petkere)
13. You Go To My Head (Coots-Gillespie)
14. For The Love Of Pike (Dave Pike)
15. Goody Speaks (John Goodman)
16. Polynesia (Dave Pike)
17. I'll Remember April (Ray-DePaul-Jonston)
18. Willow Weep For Me
PAUL BLEY piano (1-9)
DAVE PIKE vibes
CHARLIE HADEN bass (1-9)
LENNIE McBROWNE drums (1-9)
JOHN GOODMAN bass (10-19)
REED VAUGHAN drums (10-19)
EUGENE RUSSELL piano (10-19)
Recorded August 21, 1957 at Audio Arts Studios, Hollywood (1-9) from the album "Paul Bley - Solemn Meditation" (GRP Crescendo GNPS-31).
Recorded November 2 & 13, 1956 at Eccles Sound Studios, Hollywood (10-19) from the album "The Jazz Couriers (Whippet WLP-700).
GNP Crescendo - GNPS-31
Fresh Sound Records FSRCD 515