Culmination (RCA Victor/BMG Classics)
Sam Rivers’ Rivbea All-Star Orchestra
Released May 16, 2000
Grammy Nominee for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album 2001
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lzJw3Q0RF4XOx0dlNAX0QIn8WCjbq3DIc
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0pmf2LR2fwpeKrbrnv9HrI?si=murb3BHoRJeyG6kDQi1zFg
About:
Sam Rivers’ second recording with his Rivbea All-Star Orchestra for RCA is similar to his first one in that he uses an impressive 17-piece band full of top avant-gardists to interpret the dense arrangements of his originals. The music, which is frequently atonal, has so much going on at times that it will take several listens to comprehend everything; it certainly does not lose one’s interest! The only fault to this stimulating set is that the soloists are not identified. Although one may recognize the various saxophonists (Steve Coleman, Greg Osby, Chico Freeman, Gary Thomas, and Hamiet Blueitt) and trombonist Ray Anderson, most of the brass players will be more difficult to determine. This very adventurous music is remarkable in ways and well worth acquiring by free jazz collectors.
Track Listing:
1. Spectrum (Sam Rivers) 7:22
2. Bubbles (Sam Rivers) 8:27
3. Revelation (Sam Rivers) 10:36
4. Culmination (Sam Rivers) 8:12
5. Ripples (Sam Rivers) 12:38
6. Neptune (Sam Rivers) 5:53
7. Riffin’ (Sam Rivers) 6:26
Personnel:
Sam Rivers: soprano & tenor saxophones, flute
Steve Coleman: alto saxophone
Greg Osby: alto saxophone
Chico Freeman: tenor saxophone
Gary Thomas: tenor saxophone
Hamiet Bluiett: baritone saxophone
Ravi Best: trumpet
Ralph Alessi: trumpet
James Zollar: trumpet
Baikida Carroll: trumpet
Ray Anderson: trombone
Joseph Bowie: trombone
Art Baron: trombone
Joseph Daley: baritone horn
Bob Stewart: tuba
Doug Mathews: bass
Anthony Cole: drums
Recorded September 1998 at Systems Two Recording Studio in Brooklyn, New York
Produced by Steve Coleman
Recorded by Joseph Marciano
Recording Assistant: Nancy Marciano
Mixed by Steve Coleman and Joseph Marciano
Mastered by Nicholas Prout
Photography by Tom Leatherman
Artwork by Rebus
Painting by Scramble Campbell
Co-producers: Sam Rivers, Sophia Wong
Project Coordinator: Rémi Sommers
Executive Producer: Daniel Baumgarten
Review:
Recorded at the same session as last year’s Inspiration, the follow up disc Culmination delivers more of the same goods. Sam Rivers, long exiled (by choice) to Orlando, FL, has been making music in semi-obscurity for the past few decades with many of the Disney-based musicians. In this environs Rivers has total control over composition and arrangements, plus a supply of very talented but probably bored musicians. His 1996 trio recording Concept for the Rivbea is worth searching for.
Recently, with the reissue of his Blue Note discs by Mosaic Records and at the urging of saxophonist Steve Coleman, the onetime sideman to Miles Davis is getting more attention. These two orchestra recordings are his first for a major label in close to twenty years. Rivers has been very busy while we were away, writing, rehearsing, and preparing for this ambitious return. The compositions he wrote for the 17-piece orchestra were originally prepared for extended soloing and would have clocked out at 50plus minutes each. But with recording budgets what they are, and truthfully with the modern attention span shortened to 30 second NIKE commercial length, his six-to thirteen-minute big band songs are wondrous treats. By shortening the solos and compacting the arrangements he seems to be bringing ‘pop’ hits back to the jazz orchestra. Produced by Steve Coleman, the music is flavored by M-BASE jazz, a funky take on odd meters and modern street music. With a cast of former M-BASE musicians, Coleman, Greg Osby, Gary Thomas, and Ralph Alessi plus the likes of Hamiet Bluiett, Chico Freeman, and Ray Anderson, Sam Rivers was sure to have a very modern sound. Rivers writes quick changes and complex parts. With any luck we will hear more from this unique genius, maybe a live date, or perhaps a box set of extended concepts.
Mark Corrotto (All About Jazz)
