Search - Chase :: Ennea / Pure Music

The trumpet kingpin evolves

Chip Stride | Chicago | 12/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone knows "Get It On" the one chart topper from Chase. What most don't realize is that "Get It On" was really not one of the group's better or more technically demanding numbers. The follow up albums "Ennea" and "Pure Music" show that the group and its brilliant front man were just hitting there stride at the time of Bill's untimely demise in August of 1974."Ennea" features a similar line up in terms of personnel to that on the first album but the arrangements,primarily done by Bill himself reflect a greater confidence in the technical skills of the members of the band than the first album did. The phrasings written by Chase and the multi layered trumpet lines are as fresh today as they ever were. Above and beyond the extraordinary skill of the band as always though is the undeniable brilliance of Bill Chase himself. In the "Pure Music" section of the CD are two pieces entitled "Twinkles" and "Bochawa" which are representative of the range Chase posessed. With the possible exception of Maynard Ferguson, the world has never known another trumpet man of Bill Chase's skill, ferocity and range. If you love trumpets, you have to own all of Chase's albums. He is in my view the best there ever was."

World-class Rock n' Roll/ World-class Jazz !

C. Law | Las Vegas, NV USA | 06/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 60's and early 70's gave rise to a lot of rock bands utilizing horns...this is the BEST horn band that EVER WAS! A Bill Chase fan and trumpet-player myself, I had to run out and buy their album as soon as I heard "Get It On" on the radio. "Chase," their first of only (3) recorded albums, is great, but my favorites were the next two featured on this one disc. Bill's idea of using the Hammond organ to fill out the voicing of (4) trumpets not only SOUNDED GREAT, but it was pure genius. The band was born in Las Vegas during the "old days," when each hotel house band sounded better than the road bands who played together every night. Each of their albums featured a different lead vocalist, all great, and G.G. Shinn, heard here on "Ennea," is probably the BEST I've ever heard ! His incredible vocal range and versatility are really shown off on the magnificent charts on this album!Then there's the musicians...listen to it and you'll see why words just don't do it. Every time I listen to "Pure Music" I hear the late Reynald Schilke (himself a pretty good trumpet player... for many years principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony) as my 80-year-old trumpet teacher, saying of the album, "Have you heard this? Even if you don't like the MUSIC, you have to hear it for the PLAYING! FANTASTIC! " I would make the same suggestion to anyone considering buying this. Listen to it...you'll LOVE IT!"

Lost Gems

C. Law | 10/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is actually two albums in one. They are the little known follow ups to Chase's self titled first release. With no real clear cut single hit neither album received the popular attraction of the first album...too bad. This one is just as good. Fans of "Invitation to a River" will be just as enthralled by Chase's journey through the Greek Gods. "Pure Music" is more of an instrumental release. Though the lyrics to "Run Back To Mama" may not play well in this politacally correct world. A must buy to complete your Chase collection."