This is a nice dose of funky jazz co-led by electric bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma and tenor saxophonist and bass clarinetist David Murray. Rounding out the band are Murray’s song Mingus on guitar and Ranzell Merrit on drums. The band takes aspects of jazz fusion and R and B funk and meld them together very well to make a cohesive and exciting album. “Rendezvous - The Opening” is a short pointed statement of purpose that sets the stage for what is to come. Guitar and bass lay down a solid foundation for smears of saxophone. “Bring It On” matches the macho boast of the title, opening as a slow jam that ramps up with Murray taking command with a fast and hard-charging solo, aided and abetted by snarling guitar. “Theme On A Dream - 80's Downtown - Movement 2” shows Merrit throwing down the gauntlet on drums and Tacuma responding beautifully with throbbing bass and Murray adding some probing saxophone. Tacuma’s bass is again the the key along with light bouncy piano on “Hotel Le Prince - Movement 2” which is taken at a fine medium tempo swing feel. David Murray develops a thoughtful and patient saxophone statement with excellent bass support. This was a well played and exciting album, Tacuma and Murray are an excellent team. The free-funk that the bassist learned under Ornette Coleman and then defined into his own signature sound works a support and a lead instrument, giving a new dimension to the music. - Tim Niland
Tracks
01. Rendezvous - The Opening (Tacuma)
02. Hotel Le Prince - Movement 1 (Tacuma)
03. Theme On A Dream - Movement 1 (Tacuma)
04. Bring It On (Tacuma)
05. How Sensitive (Tacuma)
06. Theme On A Dream - 80's Downtown - Movement 2 (Tacuma)
07. Theme On A Dream - Who's That Ringing? - Movement 3 (Murray / Tacuma)
08. Hotel Le Prince - Movemnt 2 (Tacuma)
09. Yes We Can (Urbanek)
10. Rendezvous - The Ending (Tacuma)
JAMAALADEEN TACUMA bass guitar
DAVID MURRAY tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
MINGUS MURRAY guitar
RANZELL MERRIT drums
PAUL URBANEK keyboards
Recorded February 4-5, 2009 at Studio Magnetica, Paris
Jazzwerstatt - jw095 Germany