COMPOSERS: Terri Lyne Carrington
LABELS: Concord
PERFORMER: Terri Lyne Carrington (drums), Geri Allen (pno), Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gretchen Parlato (Vocals), Esperenza Spalding (bass) etc
CATALOGUE NO: CJA3301602
This ambitious project, arranged and produced by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, brings together some of the most talented women in jazz. An incredible cast of guest singers includes Carmen Lundy, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Gretchen Parlato and Cassandra Wilson (among which stellar company Carrington’s own pipes hold their own). The remit was to celebrate feminine themes, but the result is neither a cosy girls’ night in, nor a rant. The music, mostly originals from the pens of the protagonists, ebbs and flows strongly from sensuous, brassy soul to hip hop dialectic, the whole cut through with assured improvisation. This isn’t an extended work or suite but the 14 different pieces do connect. It’s possible to simply bask in the delicious melodies and harmonies, or home in on the subtle changes and byways of the arrangements. If this is the sound of jazz feminism, I’m all in favour of it. Garry Booth