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MP3 Al Ashley - These Are Them

Unequalled direction for modernistic Jazz

7 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo

These Are Them Songs


Details:
JAZZ PROMO SERVICES
AL ASHLEY
THESE ARE THEM

Multitalented drummer Al (Alvin Lee) Ashley steps out breast to make his recording debut as a
bandleader on These Are Them, a appreciated consecutive leading effort featuring organist Oliver Von
Esson, guitarist Rick Stone and special guest, master saxophonist David Liebman, who makes
his first ever appearance with an organ trio on the date. Ashley, who has performed with a bevy
of jazz greats, including Teddy Wilson, Louis Bellson, Milt Jackson, Terry Gibbs, Al Grey, Jimmy
Forrest, Al Cohn, lra Sullivan, Mose Allison, Chris Connor, Carol Sloane, Randy and Michael
Brecker and Miraslov Vitous. during an illustrious career that has spanned more than three
decades, puts his experience to good use on These Are Them, demonstrating the versatile style
that has served so many artists in the past, on a program of music that allows each band member
to express himself within the context of a unified group sound.
Ashley kicks off the date wilh Blue Note, a composition of his own that was inspired by some of
the music that he heard on the famous label when he was growing up. The consecutive leading cooker
has a simple but catchy melody that Liebman charges right into on tenor, showing that although
he hadn't previously recorded in breast of an organ trio that he's quite familiar with the soulful
saxophone style that works best within the context. Stone's first-rate guitar solo is strongly
supported by Von Esson's surefooted pedal work and comping before the organist sets out on his
own swinging solo. Ashley's hard-hitting drumming keeps things moving throughout, prodding
each player and filling in the spaces with some well-placed licks.
The title track, These Are Them, is another Ashley original. The drummer starts off the quirky
samba with a short drum introduction before Liebman states the lyrical melody on soprano
saxophone. Stone has the first solo, revealing an affinity tor the South American form, followed
by Von Esson, who also shows a strong liking for the Brazilian rhythms Ashley so deftly lays
down. Liebman's soprano solo exhibits his well-known mastery of the consecutive horn,
demonstrating his impeccable intonation, even as extends the instrument's range. Ashley
manages to push the saxophonist to even greater heights during a short duo exchange during
which Stone and Von Esson lay out.
Oliver Von Esson's Perfect Day is a relaxed outing delineated by Ashley's loping rhythm.
Liebman's soulful tenor is reminiscent of past masters like Gene Ammons and lllinois Jacquet
who blurred the line between r & b and jazz, giving their music a broad appeal that is sadly
missing today. Stone has a tasty solo followed by the composer, who opens the song up with
some full-bodied organ. Ashley's in-the-pocket rim shots pick things up a bit before the tune
peacefully fades https://www.tradebit.com Other Time, another Von Esson composition, is a contemporary sounding waltz that begins
with the trio in a Milesian mode before Liebman states the pretty melody on soprano. The
saxophonist's solo moves from sweet to strident. Stone and Von Esson support each other
excellently during their respective solos and Ashley is particularly prominent in keeping the song
interesting throughout the shifting moods.
Rick Slone's Relatlve Minority is a hard bopping original that takes its title from the song's
harmonic movement(through relative minors). Liebman plays the melody on tenor with Stone's
guitar before the latter takes off on his own with a swinging solo. The saxophonist is up next with
an exciting excursion all over his big horn, followed by Von Esson driven by the relentless
rhythms of Ashley, who trades some four bar exchanges with the band betore they return to the
head.
Fats Write is Ashley's dedication to his late great friend and mentor, Fats Wright, a legendary
pianist/organist who played with greats like Miles and Trane around New York and Philly betore
settling in the Roanoke, Virginia area, where the drummer frequently worked with him. The
uptempo tune utilizes some drum breaks by composer in the statement of the melody and
features Liebman's soprano and Stone's guitar plus an extended organ solo by Von Esson, all
driven by Al Ashley's dynamic drumming.
The disc concludes with Dave Liebman's composition Look At What We Do To Ourselves, a
previously unrecorded piece by the saxophonist written in response to the human error
responsible for the catastrophic accident at Three Mile lsland. Ashley contributes some explosive
drumming to this tour de force for the composer's tenor, which modulates from an attractively
warm sound to a frightening dark intensity iust before the piece fades into oblivion.
These Are Them is an impressive debut recording as a leader from a versatile veteran sideman
who has put a lifetime of experience to extremely good use in assembling and directing his newly
formed band through a varied program of original material. Al Ashley has managed to meld the
individual talents of relative newcomers Rick Stone and Oliver Von Esson with the seasoned
sound of the mature master Dave Liebman into a truly cohesive unit. ln allowing each musician
the free rein to express himself musically, as well as the opportunity to contribute
compositionally to the proceedings (in the tradition of great leaders like Art Blakey and Philly Joe
Jones), Ashley has gotten the most out of the members of his fine group. Listeners who miss the
glory days of labels like Blue Note would do well to check out this date. There's no need to pine
for the music of the good old days because with Al Ashley around, "These Are Them."

Media Contact:
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
269 S Route 94
Warwick, NY 10990
T: 845-986-1677 / F: 845-986-1699
E-Mail : jazzpromo@earthlink. net

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