TOSHIKO AKIYOSHI-LEW TABACKIN BIG BAND - Sumi-E
RCA PL 37537 - Recorded 2nd & 3rd February 1979
Steven Hufsetter (tpt) Bobby Shew (tpt) Larry Ford (tpt) Mike Price (tpt); Randy Aldcroft (tro) Bill Reichenbach (tro) Rick Culver (tro) Phil Teele (bs tro); Gary Foster (alt) Dick Spencer (alt) Lew Tabackin (ten, flt) Tom Peterson (ten) Bill Byrne (bar) Toshiko Akiyoshi (pno) John Heard (bs) Peter Donald (drs) Kisaku Katada (perc).
Side 1, Sumi-e (8m 05s) Hangin' Loose (8m37s) Side 2, Quadrille, Anyone ? (6m 20s) A-10-205932 (9m 52s)
Akiyoshi/ Tabakin was a superb big band that made thirteen albums between 1973 and 1982. They were formed by the two leaders in Los Angeles and toured North America, Europe and Japan before re-locating to New York City where they commanded long term residencies at Birdland. The Japanese pianist, arranger and composer Toshiko Akiyoshi was born in Liadyang China during 1929. She was married to saxophonist Charlie Mariano from 1959 to 1967 before becoming betrothed to the Philadelphia born alto and flute exponent Lew Tabackin, who was ten years her junior, in 1969. Their musical partnership was extremely successful, the band was like no other, there was a soft palette of sound created by Akiyoshi whose superb writing and arranging skills led to no less than eleven Down Beat annual pole winners awards. The band itself claimed a run of five similar accolades from 1978 to 1982. The vast majority of the solo space within the band's recorded output was from the piano or Tabackin's tenor and (mostly) flute. His prowess on this most difficult of instruments was rewarded both in 1981 and 1982 when he was nominated jazz flutist of the year.
Although the two leaders were without doubt the stars of the band throughout its existence, it was the overall unique sound that really appealed to the jazz listening public, as it was with this album "Sumi-E,"which is the Japanese translation of "black painting". As you can see from the above there are only four tracks on the album with an overall playing time of some thirty three minutes. Don't let that put you off, the music here exudes quality and class from first note to last. There is a large orchestral element to all the pieces in a similar mode that you may expect from Gil Evans or the NDR Big Band. One of the extras you get with Akiyoshi/Tabackin is the constant building of tension and release during the music. The opener and title track are a good example of this. Here we find for much of the piece, Tabackin's flute floating over the brass and reads with constant tempo changes. Its a muscular tune, but it never overwhelms the listener. "Hangin' Loose" is a slow burner with the co- leader this time on tenor leading the way after a very fine piano trio introduction and brief solo contributions from Bobby Shew on trumpet and alto from Gary Foster. The sheer musical intelligence of Ms Akiyoshi's arrangement makes this one.
Turning the disc to side two, you find a slightly more lighthearted composition "Quadrille Anyone?". This is a fairly complex tune, jaunty in nature at times with an opportunity for the baritone and alto saxophonists to make their presence felt. There are some fine ensemble exchanges between the brass and reeds with bass and drums holding this entertaining piece together. Once again its the superb writing and arranging that holds the attention. The album closes with the strangely titled A-10-205932. Here we have a superb showcase for Tabackin's flute, which was of course one of the band's signature sounds. This extended piece is the highlight of the album. For much of the time the flute is totally unaccompanied, and it works really well. At other times it skates above a cushion of subdued section work, there is another fine solo from Bobby Shew before the flute returns for a final reprise of the theme with only the rhythm section for company.
This is a superb big band recording, with very different concepts of style and sound to most. The Akiyoshi/Tabackin band was way ahead of its time forty years ago, it almost seems that it is today.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
RCA PL 37537 - Recorded 2nd & 3rd February 1979
Steven Hufsetter (tpt) Bobby Shew (tpt) Larry Ford (tpt) Mike Price (tpt); Randy Aldcroft (tro) Bill Reichenbach (tro) Rick Culver (tro) Phil Teele (bs tro); Gary Foster (alt) Dick Spencer (alt) Lew Tabackin (ten, flt) Tom Peterson (ten) Bill Byrne (bar) Toshiko Akiyoshi (pno) John Heard (bs) Peter Donald (drs) Kisaku Katada (perc).
Side 1, Sumi-e (8m 05s) Hangin' Loose (8m37s) Side 2, Quadrille, Anyone ? (6m 20s) A-10-205932 (9m 52s)
Akiyoshi/ Tabakin was a superb big band that made thirteen albums between 1973 and 1982. They were formed by the two leaders in Los Angeles and toured North America, Europe and Japan before re-locating to New York City where they commanded long term residencies at Birdland. The Japanese pianist, arranger and composer Toshiko Akiyoshi was born in Liadyang China during 1929. She was married to saxophonist Charlie Mariano from 1959 to 1967 before becoming betrothed to the Philadelphia born alto and flute exponent Lew Tabackin, who was ten years her junior, in 1969. Their musical partnership was extremely successful, the band was like no other, there was a soft palette of sound created by Akiyoshi whose superb writing and arranging skills led to no less than eleven Down Beat annual pole winners awards. The band itself claimed a run of five similar accolades from 1978 to 1982. The vast majority of the solo space within the band's recorded output was from the piano or Tabackin's tenor and (mostly) flute. His prowess on this most difficult of instruments was rewarded both in 1981 and 1982 when he was nominated jazz flutist of the year.
Although the two leaders were without doubt the stars of the band throughout its existence, it was the overall unique sound that really appealed to the jazz listening public, as it was with this album "Sumi-E,"which is the Japanese translation of "black painting". As you can see from the above there are only four tracks on the album with an overall playing time of some thirty three minutes. Don't let that put you off, the music here exudes quality and class from first note to last. There is a large orchestral element to all the pieces in a similar mode that you may expect from Gil Evans or the NDR Big Band. One of the extras you get with Akiyoshi/Tabackin is the constant building of tension and release during the music. The opener and title track are a good example of this. Here we find for much of the piece, Tabackin's flute floating over the brass and reads with constant tempo changes. Its a muscular tune, but it never overwhelms the listener. "Hangin' Loose" is a slow burner with the co- leader this time on tenor leading the way after a very fine piano trio introduction and brief solo contributions from Bobby Shew on trumpet and alto from Gary Foster. The sheer musical intelligence of Ms Akiyoshi's arrangement makes this one.
Turning the disc to side two, you find a slightly more lighthearted composition "Quadrille Anyone?". This is a fairly complex tune, jaunty in nature at times with an opportunity for the baritone and alto saxophonists to make their presence felt. There are some fine ensemble exchanges between the brass and reeds with bass and drums holding this entertaining piece together. Once again its the superb writing and arranging that holds the attention. The album closes with the strangely titled A-10-205932. Here we have a superb showcase for Tabackin's flute, which was of course one of the band's signature sounds. This extended piece is the highlight of the album. For much of the time the flute is totally unaccompanied, and it works really well. At other times it skates above a cushion of subdued section work, there is another fine solo from Bobby Shew before the flute returns for a final reprise of the theme with only the rhythm section for company.
This is a superb big band recording, with very different concepts of style and sound to most. The Akiyoshi/Tabackin band was way ahead of its time forty years ago, it almost seems that it is today.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
