Ravi Coltrane - Moving Pictures (1998)

All modern saxophonists stand in the shadow of John Coltrane, but that shadow must be overwhelming for his son, Ravi Coltrane. Ravi certainly opened himself up to criticism by pursuing the saxophone as his main instrument, but he was smart enough not to play in the style of his father, opting to follow the influence of straight-ahead hard boppers like Joe Henderson. It was a wise move, since Ravi has a rich, warm tone and deft style that makes his melodic, well-structured compositions all the more appealing. Moving Pictures, his debut record, is mainly comprised of originals, with covers of Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and Wayne Shorter songs thrown in for good measure. Working with drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and pianist Michael Cain, Coltrane achieves a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere on his first session. It may not offer anything new, but Moving Pictures is a promising debut from a young saxophonist who may have a lot to offer on his own terms. ~ by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG. 

BMG / RCA VICTOR, 74321-55887-2, 1998
Recorded 15th-17th October, 1997 at Two Recording Studio, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Ravi Coltrane - Tenor & Soprano Saxes
Michael Cain - Piano
Lonnie Plaxico - Bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts - Drums
Special Guests:
Ralph Alessi - Trumpet (#1,3,7,11)
Steve Coleman - Alto Sax (#9,11)
Ancient Vibrations: (#1,6,11)
Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn - Djembe [Lead]
Jeremiah McFarlane - Djembe
Clyde Wedderbum - Djun-Djun 

Tracks:
01. Interlude - Thursday {Ravi Coltrane} (2:33)
02. Narcine {Ravi Coltrane} (9:20)
03. Tones For Jobe Kain {Ravi Coltrane} (7:22)
04. In Three For Thee {Ravi Coltrane} (5:05)
05. Peace {Horace Silver} (5:39)
06. Search For Peace {McCoy Tyner} (7:10)
07. Mixed Media {Ravi Coltrane} (8:22)
08. High Windows {Ravi Coltrane} (5:34)
09. Inner Urge {Joe Henderson} (7:50)
10. When You Dream {Edgy Lee, Wayne Shorter} (4:39)
11. Outerlude - Still Thursday {Ravi Coltrane} (2:50) 

Total Time: 66:28 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Steve Coleman
Assistant Producer - Sophia Wong
Executive Producer - Daniel Baumgarten
Engineer, Mixing - Joseph Marciano
Assistant Engineer - Nancy Marciano
Mixing, Liner Notes - Ravi Coltrane
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen
Photography - Jimmy Katz, Darlene DeVita, Dorothy Low
Liner Notes - Amiri Baraka

LINK

Ravi Coltrane ft. Steve Coleman - Inner Urge

Greg Osby - Zero. (1998)

"Zero." represents Greg Osby's 3rd release for Blue Note records and perhaps his finest recording to date. Osby’s inaugural Blue Note release "Art Forum" sported a 360-degree turn for this artist. Having been a longtime collaborator with Steve Coleman and Cassandra Wilson in the "Mbase" days, Osby subsequently turned his creative juices towards Hip-Hop and the results were less than satisfying. "Art Forum" was a stylish entry into the modern jazz scene and re-established Osby as a major talent on the rise. Osby's 2nd release for Blue Note, "Further Ado" saw the advent of young piano phenom Jason Moran along with a cast of veteran jazz session musicians. "Further Ado" was fairly weak compositionally and lacked identity. Not a bad outing but at times sounded forced and hastily produced. On "Zero" Osby is backed by a fine bunch of young musicians who display earnest intentions and well-schooled technical attributes. The opener, "Sea of Illusion" demonstrates Greg Osby's easily identifiable technique and signature sound. On "Sea of Illusion" Osby artfully blends melody and dissonance in an angular yet rapid-fire fashion. His attack and execution is flawless. Osby tap dances over his alto sax, alluding to his disclosure of thinking like a pianist. Not just a technician, Osby emits fire and emotion; thus, making every note count. Perhaps if Bud Powell were an alto saxophonist, he would have sounded something like Greg Osby? On "Interspacial Affair" the young pianist Jason Moran displays wit and maturity with pervasive chord structures and strong dynamics. Moran superfluous sense of dynamics frequently prods Osby into taking several engaging, razor sharp alto and soprano sax solos. "Minstrale" is Osby's salutation to the fine jazz pianist Andrew Hill. Subtle melodic phrasing with traces of Monk, Moran captures the spirit of Andrew Hill in illustrious fashion. On "Nekide" drummer Rodney Green opens up with some nifty, dexterous stick work although he seems somewhat cautious or at times hesitant to mix it up on most of these cuts. "Deuce Ana Quota" is a lazy funk-blues romp and reminiscent of early 1970’s Lou Donaldson. Moran works the Hammond B-3 while guitarist Kevin McNeal strums delicate blues riffs to augment the spirited feel of the rhythm section. Osby is the bandleader and it shows in most instances. Despite the hefty dose of soloing and improvisation the band is tight and well-rehearsed under Osby’s direction. No doubt Greg Osby has the stuff to become a world-beater. His enormous talents as a composer and saxophonist have seldom been scrutinized. Blue Note records and Greg Osby have forged a strong relationship and with his current band the future looks that much brighter for jazz. ~ by Glenn Astarita, AAJ. 

Blue Note, 7243 4 93760 2 1, 1998
Recorded 8th-11th January, 1998 at Systems Two Recording Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Greg Osby - Alto, Soprano & Sopranino Saxophones
Jason Moran - Piano, Organ [Hammond B-3], Fender Rhodes
Kevin McNeal - Guitar
Dwayne Burno - Bass (#1,2,7,8)
Lonnie Plaxico - Bass (#3-6)
Rodney Green - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Sea Of Illusion {Greg Osby} (5:13)
02. Interspacial Affair {Greg Osby} (6:59)
03. Minstrale {Greg Osby} (5:16)
04. Two Over One {Muhal Richard Abrams} (7:49)
05. Ozthetica {Greg Osby} (6:24)
06. Nekide {Greg Osby} (4:14)
07. Savant Cycles {Greg Osby} (5:59)
08. Extreme Behavior {Greg Osby} (3:06)
09. Deuce Ana Quota {Greg Osby} (6:53)
10. Penetrating Stare {Greg Osby} (4:57)
11. Concepticus In C {Greg Osby} (2:42) 

Total Time: 59:32

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes, Mixing - Greg Osby
Recording & Mixing - Joseph Marciano
Mastering - Nicholas Prout
Art Direction, Design, Illustration [Digital] - P.R. Brown
Photography - Jana Leon