New Jazz CD's Gary Burton, Tom Harrell, Omer Avital, James Carter

There hasn't been much happening Stateside in jazz over the past decade or so. Aside from endless pre-1965 reissues of standard fare, jazz in it's country of origin has become a museum music followed by older white men with highly conservative tastes who rarely understand the music much beyond pleasant background.

There are a few bright spots - avant garde labels like AUM Fidelity, Thirsty Ear, and Small's record label. After a dormant period where I feared Small's had died, a new Omer Avital CD appears, and it is a fine one, featuring the excellent tenor of Joel Frahm on a fairly straight ahead live date, blowing, advanced accessible compositions, superb musicianship in the tradition and in the moment as well. a fine recording. Very recommended.

Gary Burton had descended into formula long ago, after his prime ECM period. Here he tries to revive the ECM era, Metheny era group formula, but not necessarily the sound - it's more modern, a touch latin in places, less fiery and progressive. There's no Metheny here (and in truth, Metheny was never the same after his Burton era, and that has to do with the fact that Mick Goodrick was the lead guitar in that Burton band and a better player) but the record stands up well on it's own and is a welcome return of an older, more settled Burton who still has one whopping technique.

Anyone who has not been following Tom Harrell's quintet recordings on High Note is missing the single finest band in American jazz today. His latest, The Time Of The Sun, again featuring Wayne Escoffery's tenor, is no exception - in fact, this band keeps on getting better each time out. If you haven't already, just go to Amazon or CD Universe and order the last 5 Harrell recordings on High Note right away. It's that good.

Last for now, James Carter records a classical crossover record on Emarcy - Caribbean Rhapsody, a concerto for saxophones designed as a showpiece for Carter, a fine player with a tendency to showboating. Over the years, Carter has learned that subtlety is a virtue and having technique doesn't mean you have to flaunt it with every note you play. Here is a fine piece of music, nothing that will become the next Brahms concerto, but a fine latin crossover vibe that showcases Carter very well.
The revelations are to be found on the new AUM Fidelity Planetary Unknown, a group with David S. Ware, Cooper-Jones on piano, the thunderous William Parker's bass, and Muhammad Ali on drums - an avant garde super group if there ever was one, starting at late Coltrane and moving forward. Majestic, often tonal, avant garde music that shows Ware as a newly matured player, much changed after his recent life threatening illness. Ali played with Ayler, and has all the history in his hands, and brings an emotion and passion often lacking in the avant garde to the band. Never 'out' for the purpose of being 'out', this I am sure will one day be considered a seminal date and maybe even a turning point. Not to be missed. You've never heard anything like this before.