The work of this unique pianist and composer is marked invention. This 1964 quintet session features John Gilmore, Bobby Hutcherson, Richard Davis and Joe Chambers, all peers who grasp his concepts perfectly. Two alternate... more » takes have been added to the original album.« less
The work of this unique pianist and composer is marked invention. This 1964 quintet session features John Gilmore, Bobby Hutcherson, Richard Davis and Joe Chambers, all peers who grasp his concepts perfectly. Two alternate takes have been added to the original album.
CD Reviews
Keep those blue notes coming
Heavy Theta | Lorton, Va United States | 10/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The 1964 recordings of Andrew Hill for Blue Note are nothing less than complete revelation. Point of Departure and Dialogue have been available more or less for some time, but the recent release of Black Fire and now Andrew lends to the undeniable conclusion that the young pianist was fairly bursting with creativity and talent to burn.
Andrew features are very interesting line-up, including a very sympathetic Richard Davis on bass and the always compelling Bobby Hutcherson on vibes. But the real surprize here is lifelong Sun Ra tenor giant John Gilmore. Hearing him in this small group is startling, if for no other reason than it is virtually impossible to distinguish his tone and angular runs from that of John Coltrane's transitional period a year later.
But Andrew, more than the other blue notes, is unmistakably the pianist's record, as he solos long and hard with the group staying mostly in support. The compositions are more personal, and a little introverted. It takes a few listens for them to start to dig beneath the skin.
Can't wait for Smokestack and, especially, Compulsion, which also features jazz's most reticent reed hero."
The Sleeper
L. Barnes | Mt. Vernon, New York United States | 03/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Andrew Hill is the most original pianist and composer in Jazz since Thelonious Monk and this recording, along with Andrew's "Point of Departure" is one of the greatest dates in Blue Note's catalogue during the 60's. Bassist Richard Davis understands Hill's conception like no other and John Gilmore, who is one of the greatest tenor saxophonist in the history of modern Jazz, never played better, with or without Sun Ra. There is no weak link in this date."
Andrew Hill Meets John Gilmore
hj | London | 11/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Latest in the amazing series of reissues from Andrew Hill's 1960s Blue Note catalogue. This was one of the six albums recorded during 1964 (though it wasn't released until 1968.) What is astonishing is not just that Hill was so prolific but that each album consists entirely of original compositions, all rigorously arranged and played (no extended jamming or interminable free blowing here...) Moreover each album has its own special angle & line up. If you've been following this series so far you won't need any recommendation to snap this latest up. All you might want to know is what the special angle is this time. The answer is that you have six compositions plus a couple of bonus alternate takes, all of which tend towards Hill's more cool, abstract side. The line up is Hill-piano, Richard Davis-bass, Joe Chambers-drums, Bobby Hutcherson-vibes, John Gilmore-sax. Yes that's right, John Gilmore as in the Sun Ra legend. After listening to Gilmore for years in lo-fi Saturn weirdness, it's a pleasure to hear him in post-bop mode cleverly negotiating Hill's complex arrangements, all captured in a pristine Blue Note recording by that nice Mr Rudy Van Gelder.
"
A Rainbow Of Warm, Penetrating Music.
Michael F. Hopkins | Buffalo, NY USA | 11/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here is one of the most underrated sessions in all
of Jazz, led by one of the finest artists in all
of Music. Anyone interested in why pianist Andrew
Hill resonates in the ears and memories of legions
of longtime progressive listeners for a good half-
century are invited to purchase ANDREW!, and be
thoroughly enlightened.
Hill's mastery of polychromatic harmonics, coupled
with a wonderfully deep mastery of The Blues, marks
the Midwesterner as one of the finest composers
around, and a deadly soloist, to boot. His
compositions carry that elusive, tonally elliptical
quality which is shared by the likes of Monk and Sun
Ra. Ask the musicians who have played alongside him -
you either know and respect the piece you're playing,
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1