Ornette Coleman - Sound Grammar

GRAMMY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2007 PULITZER PRIZE IN MUSIC
GRAMMY NOMINEE 2007 “BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM”

Fifty years after he astonished the musical world with his initial recorded forays into free jazz, Ornette Coleman remains astounding. Sound Grammar introduces his so-called two-bass band, a quartet featuring son Denardo on percussion and Tony Falanga and Greg Cohen on acoustic bass. The unusual combination works spectacularly well, as displayed on this fervent live album. Now in his 70s, Coleman has lost little in terms of instrumental prowess on his customary alto saxophone (his occasional trumpet and violin remain as attractively flinty as ever); his utterly distinctive writing still stands heads above both his peers and even the most inventive of jazz's younger generations. Coleman's ace in the hole has always been his combustible mixture of the aggressive and the lyrical. Where, say, "Jordan," and "Song X" roil and slash, the gorgeous ballad "Sleep Talking" and the easy-grooving blues "Turnaround" speak in poetic tongues. If Coleman naturally dominates the proceedings with his riveting horn, his compatriots provide proactive interplay whose fascinating tonal qualities (Falanga's bowed bass against Cohen's pizzicato) add layers of bracing texture. Coleman has been shaking things up since he first made himself known, and Sound Grammar sends the message that he doesn't intend to quit stirring up action anytime soon. -- Steve Futterman
http://www.ornettecoleman.com/

When so much jazz is recycled or reissued, a new Ornette Coleman album is cause for celebration. But Sound Grammar, the free-jazz legend's first release in a decade, is special even by his lofty standards. Coleman was 75 when this live-in-Italy set was recorded in 2005. But he sounds pluckier than he has in years. Pared down to its eloquent basics, the music has a rare combination of beauty, power, lift, and melodic immediacy. With two bassists providing contrasting textures and internal drama--Greg Cohen plucks his acoustic instrument while Tony Falanga bows his--Ornette plays with his usual songful brilliance on alto saxophone and also sounds great on trumpet, a secondary instrument on which he usually demonstrates yeoman skills. (He also dabbles on violin.) Sound Grammar could be better engineered--the astute catchall drumming of Ornette's son Denardo Coleman is too far back in the mix and the basses frequently don't have enough presence. But this album stands with Ornette's best. Two of the songs, "Turnaround" and "Song X," are remakes; the rest of the material is just as good. --Lloyd Sachs
http://www.amazon.com/

Ornette Coleman: sax, violin and trumpet
Denardo Coleman: drums and percussion
Gregory CVohen: bass
Tony Falanga: bass

1. Jordan (after introducing the band members)
2. Sleep Talking
3. Turnaround
4. Matador
5. Waiting for You
6. Call to Duty
7. Once Only
8. SONGX

All songs composed and arranged by Ornette Coleman


Link: Ornette Coleman - Sound Grammar