Chico Freeman was 44 when he recorded Focus, a strictly inside post-bop/hard bop date that seems fairly conservative when played alongside some of his more adventurous and daring recordings of the 1970s. Back then, the tenor saxman was considered cutting-edge, but Focus was hardly among 1994's more cutting-edge jazz recordings. This isn't to say that the session isn't enjoyable -- in fact, Von Freeman's son is in good form on two Thelonious Monk standards ("Bemsha Swing" and "Rhythm-a-Ning") as well as Cecil McBee's "Peacemaker" and Don Pullen's "Ah, George, We Hardly Knew Ya." And Freeman is downright compelling on "To Hear a Tear, Drop in the Rain," a melancholy ballad he wrote after a friend's murder. Throughout the session, Freeman forms an appealing two-sax front line with alto man Arthur Blythe, and he has a solid rhythm section in pianist George Cables, bassist Santi Debriano and drummer Yoron Israel. Focus didn't go down in history as one of Freeman's essential works, but it's a generally decent and occasionally excellent CD that he can be proud of. - Alex Henderson
Tracks
1. Bemsha
2. Blackfoot (George Cables)
3. Ah, George, We Hardly Knew Ya (Don Pullen)
4. To Hear a Tear, Drop in the Rain (Chico Freeman)
5. Playpen (Chico Freeman/Ed Maguire)
6. Peacemaker (Cecil McBee)
7. Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonious Monk)
CHICO FREEMAN tenor saxophone
ARTHUR BLYTHE alto saxophone
SANTI DEBRIANO bass
YORON ISRAEL drums
GEORGE CABLES piano
Recorded May 16, 1994 at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA
Contemporary Records - CCD - 14073-2