Search - Gil Evans :: Into the Hot (24bt) (Mlps)

A classic

mark in ann arbor | Ann Arbor, MI United States | 05/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A marvelous album of varied colors and textures. The Evans arranging genius is much in evidence here. A wonderful companion to his best work with Miles Davis, "Into the Hot" also features three compositions by Cecil Taylor, who plays piano on the tracks. But fear not--apparently Mr. Evans had a calming effect on him, because Mr. Taylor has never played with such restraint. Highly recommended."

Not by Gil Evans, but with music this beautiful, who cares?

keddieb | 05/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has been treated dismissively by several critics, usually on the basis that it isn't actually Gil Evans' work at all. That is true (even though, Gil Evans' picture and name are on the cover!). The story is that Evans had a recording opportunity lined up but had nothing to record, and so he handed the session over to Cecil Taylor and John Carisi. The resulting album is truly wonderful in my opinion. Half of the tracks are by Taylor and these are also available on his album "Mixed". They are very interesting and represent a transitional point in his work: they lie somewhere just this side of the full-blown, unique voice he went on to develop, while still retaining fading references back to more conventional jazz. But for me the main appeal of this album lies in the John Carisi tracks. What an underrated and underexposed composer! I can't find a single item under his own name in Amazon, yet Angkor Wat and Moon Taj, on this album, are superb compositions with unusual and highly sophisticated arrangements. Both are hauntingly beautiful pieces with a floating mood which, curiously enough, is very reminiscent of some of Gil Evans' work. Highly recommended."