Beautiful album by drummer Doug Hammond on Idibib, the independent label he founded. We have a mix of spiritual, post-bop and avant-garde here. This is one of those albums that perhaps flies under radar, but it’s a lovely effort. As an old drummer myself I love to see drummer led sessions, and Hammond is superb on the skins for sure.
The group delivering the goods besides the leader are Steve Coleman on alto sax, Byard Lancaster on alto sax and flute, Muneer Abdul Fataah on cello and Kirk Lightsey on piano. Very cool that we have the cello present instead of bass. Love that instrument in jazz. Fataah, what a player. Awesome as well that Byard Lancaster is present, even if it’s on one tune only. Steve Coleman tears it up on this one. Very lyrical player, possesses a lovely tone on his alto, technically gifted, and has so many great ideas. Need to look into his other work I reckon.
A lot of wonderful tunes on this album, and as I’m listening and writing this I think the Dolphy-esque “Cüd Bar-Rith”, ”Rizz Biz” and ”Water Moves”, which is hte second part of the suite Spaces and Things, are my favorites right now.
Check this one out If you haven’t already. Highly recommended.