Perseverance (Wide Hive Records)
Phil Ranelin
Released March 29, 2011
AllMusic Favorite Jazz Albums 2011
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kgPyVPh7nZUM4u2TQGsVvkMpG1XYC4Xr0
Spotify:
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About:
“Ranelin and his ensemble are completely committed on Perseverance where disciplined technical craft and expansive, melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic possibilities are presented as a musical language. Combined together with his requisite empathy and subtlety, this album defines Ranelin as a true jazz master.” — Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
Jazz Legend Phil Ranelin returns to form with his most intriguing album to date, “Perseverance.” Phil is united for the first time with Henry Franklin, known for solo releases on cult classic label Blackjazz Records and as a bassist for Hugh Masekela, and Big Black who’s solo albums Uni and sideman work roots stretch from Dizzi, to Feddie, and Randy Weston.
Joining them are a cast of immensely talented young artists, including saxophonist Kamasi Washington, Drummer Tony Austin and Pianist Mahesh Balasooriya. The sounds of the music are indicative of Phil’s naturally soulful compositions with strong rhythmic undercurrent and eerily beautiful horn arrangements.
Track Listing:
1. In Search of the One (Phil Ranelin) 10:47
2. Jamaican Sunrise (Phil Ranelin) 04:40
3. Song for Velader (Phil Ranelin) 04:09
4. Moorish (Phil Ranelin) 05:15
5. Perseverance (Phil Ranelin) 09:59
6. Within Her Smile (Phil Ranelin) 05:32
7. Mystic Destiny (Phil Ranelin) 06:50
8. One for Johnson (Phil Ranelin) 06:13
9. Come On, Home! (Phil Ranelin) 03:44
10. A Tear in Elmina (Phil Ranelin) 09:58
Personnel:
Rhil Ranelin: trombone
Tony Austin: drums
Mahesh Balasooriya: piano
Big Black: conga
Henry Franklin: bass
Don Littleton: percussion
Louis Van Taylor: bass clarinet
Kamasi Washington: saxophone
Josh Jones: percussion
Recorded at Stagg Street Recording Studio, Van Nuys, CA
Recorded and Mixed by Gregory Howe
Assistant Engineer: Ethan Carlson
Mastered by Justin Weis
Cover Photography: Gregory Howe
Graphic Design: Lisa Berman
Review:
Perseverance is the fourth recording on Wide Hive by trombonist and composer Phil Ranelin. His previous outings for the label have articulately showcased his unique voice on his instrument and as a composer and arranger, and his strong grasp of the jazz tradition. In addition to his solo work, Ranelin has been very active as member of the Los Angeles-based transcultural, multi-generational collective Build an Ark, and reunited with Detroit’s legendary the Tribe collective, with Wendell Harrison and Marcus Belgrave, on the album Rebirth. Ranelin has been a nearly constant presence on the 21st century jazz scene, even after needing five years in the early 2000s to recover from a severe automobile accident). The issue of Perseverance is, in many ways, the culmination of his long journey in jazz. Among its core contributors are percussionist Big Black and bassist Henry “The Skipper” Franklin — the latter known best for his work with the Black Jazz imprint — tenor saxophonist Kamasi Washington, pianist Mahesh Balasooriya, and drummer Tony Austin, with a few guests. Ranelin uses a multi-generational band to articulate his vision of jazz. This music is straight-ahead, though that term means something multi-faceted for Ranelin. His tone is golden and warm throughout, full-voiced and lyrical. Spiritual jazz bookends the album in its longest tracks, “In Search Of the One” and “A Tear for Alimna.” The players are tightly focused on a modal groove with Ranelin and Washington engaged in gorgeous interplay with killer work from Black and Franklin, especially on the latter tune, which also features a stellar bass clarinet solo by Louis Van Taylor. The Afro-Latin “Song for Velader” contains beautiful front line work. The Spanish-tinged “Moorish” is a post-bop exploration of flamenco and Sephardic music with stellar conga work from Black. On the ballad “Within Her Smile,” his trombone literally sings against Franklin’s lilting bassline. The uptempo “Mystic Destiny” with its knotty head swings like mad, and the lyric hard bop tribute to J.J. Johnson, “One for Johnson,” features excellent rhythm section work and a Ranelin solo in the vein of the cut’s subject. Ranelin’s compositions and charts are expressive, but are free of unnecessary musical verbiage. Ranelin and his ensemble are completely committed on Perseverance, where disciplined technical craft, and expansive melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic possibilities are presented as a musical language. Combined together with his requisite empathy and subtlety, this album defines Ranelin as a true jazz master.
Thom Jurek (AllMusic)
