Kenny Cox: Introducing Kenny Cox And The Contemporary Jazz Quintet CD Track Listing
Kenny Cox
Introducing Kenny Cox And The Contemporary Jazz Quintet (1968)
Blue Note: 0946 3 85189 2 1\nConnoisseur CD Series\n\nOriginally released as Introducing Kenny Cox And The Contemporary Jazz Quintet (BST 84302) and Multidirection (BST 84339)\n\nKenny Cox, p\nCharles Moore, tpt\nLeon Henderson, sax\nRon Brooks, b\nDanny Spencer, d\n\nRecorded Dec. 9, 1968, United Sound Systems, Detroit (1-6) and Nov. 26, 1969, GM Recording Studios, E. Detroit, Mich., \n\nReview by Matt Collar\nOriginally released in 1968, Introducing Kenny Cox and the Contemporary Jazz Quintet is the first recording by the storied and somewhat lesser known Detroit ensemble. Led by pianist Cox, the Contemporary Jazz Quintet featured saxophonist Leon Henderson (brother of Joe Henderson), trumpeter Charles Moore, bassist Ron Brooks and drummer Danny Spencer. Interestingly, this group is perhaps best known for its connection to the legendary Detroit rock group the MC5 as both Moore and Henderson performed on the band's 1971 cut "Sister Anne". Cox himself was well established in the Detroit scene by the time of this recording having studied at the competitve Cass Tech High School and the Detroit Conservatory of Music as well as performed with a who's who of Detroit players including Yusef Lateef. Though well-versed in the traditions of jazz standards and Bop, Cox and his ensemble resemble most closely here the classic Miles Davis quintet of the mid and late '60s. But rather than merely aping Davis, the Contemporary Jazz Quintet had a muscular and urban group sensibility all its own.In that sense, this is fiery, expansive and cerebral post-bop of the highest order.\n\nMULTIDIRECTION\nReview by Brandon Burke\nMultidirection has as much in common with Blue Note's mildly avant-garde releases of the early '60s as it does the soul-based output typical of 1969. In this sense, one could compare it to Andrew Hill's Grass Roots or Jackie McLean's Jacknife, as soulful yet mildly dissonant hard bop is the order of the day here as well. The most profound difference between the three is the relative absence of household names on Multidirection. Trumpeter Charles Moore contributes three interesting -- if not entirely memorable -- tunes featuring choppy, stutter-step heads. Cox supplies the rest, all of which are decidedly more hard bop in nature. The flying cymbal patterns of drummer Danny Spencer are particularly interesting, as his rapid-fire, tension/release hi-hat style sounds a like a virtual carbon copy of Tony Williams as heard on early avant-garde classics such as Evolution and Out to Lunch. This may delight some listeners and bother others, as Spencer's chops are adequate but nowhere near as tight and tastefully flamboyant as those of the brilliant Williams. Similarly, the group's collective response to Moore's solo on "Snuck In" is again reminiscent of the high-modernist sound on Evolution, though this time it reminds one of Lee Morgan's passage on "Air Raid." Unfortunately, neither Morgan or Williams were present on this date, making it enjoyable but, like a reasonably good sports franchise, lacking the starpower to take it to the next level.\n\n
This jazz cd contains 12 tracks and runs 79min 48sec.
Freedb: c212b20c
Category
: Music
Tags
: music songs tracks jazz Jazz
- Kenny Cox - Mystique (04:44)
- Kenny Cox - You (05:28)
- Kenny Cox - Trance Dance (06:08)
- Kenny Cox - Eclipse (05:51)
- Kenny Cox - Number Four (10:48)
- Kenny Cox - Diahnn (08:37)
- Kenny Cox - Spellbound (05:23)
- Kenny Cox - Snuck In (06:03)
- Kenny Cox - Sojourn (06:36)
- Kenny Cox - Multidirection (09:57)
- Kenny Cox - What Other One (04:58)
- Kenny Cox - Gravity Point (05:08)
