Fred Anderson: Hamid's On Fire
Track
Hamid's On Fire
Artist
Fred Anderson (tenor sax)
CD
On The Run: Live at the Velvet Lounge (Delmark 534)
Musicians:
Fred Anderson (tenor sax),
Tatsu Aoki (bass), Hamid Drake (drums)
.Composed by Fred Anderson, Tatsu Aoki, and Hamid Drake
.Recorded: Chicago, March 25, 2000
Rating: 93/100 (learn more)
Tell us something we don't know, Mr. Anderson. Drummer Hamid Drake's a regular Johnny Storm, The Human Torch. He can't be extinguished, and anyway, we wouldn't want to even if we could. The polyrhythmic vamp that follows his sharp-edged, free-time opening solo has more facets than the Hope Diamond. Bassist Tatsu Aoki's insistent repetitive bass line serves as an anchor for Drake's rhythmic superabundance, as the equally intense Anderson draws upon infinite reserves of energy and inventiveness. The piece morphs into a driving swing, as Drake further proves himself master of jazz's time/space continuum, and Anderson demonstrates why he's everyone's favorite neglected free jazz sax-playing elder statesman. Aoki's bass sounds suspiciously electric, so purists might look askance, but then again, purists never get too close to the flame, do they?
Reviewer: Chris Kelsey
Tags: 2000s jazz · avant-garde
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