I doubt the trio actually billed themselves as 'acid jazz'... that sounds more
like the club's doing to me. Sam is actually quite amused at the whole 'acid
jazz' phenomenon, but is happy because more people come see him play and on his
terms. Sam once joked that if he was 'acid jazz', then he'd be a new subgenre:
'FREE acid jazz'. The trio's playing does follow a certain flow that is often
funky: the beginnings and ends of songs are funky sections that revolve around a
written melody. However, these parts often sandwich an improvised midsection,
where the funk flies off into another realm. Those who expect straight ahead
'acid jazz' will be dissapointed, but those looking for exploratory directions
in jazz funk (jazz being first) will find much of interest.
Bil also commented: "I was surprised that the young crowd seemed to enjoy this
as much as they did, but I got the impression that they were mostly people who
don't listen to this type of music but felt "hip" because they were there
listening to it that night."
Indeed... Sam packs them in whenever he plays. It's amusing to see Sam hooting
and hollering over an improvised racket while a very straight laced and out of
place audience gets down in the front row. This is again part of the 'acid jazz'
phenomenon. Our 'acid jazz' night here draws huge crowds as well, but most of
the attendees are hopelessly out of place. It's a hip (and safe) urban
experience for those who want to do such a thing. But this isn't necessarily
bad... if just one of those kids at a Sam Rivers show goes out and buys a
Coltrane record (or a Rivers record, for that matter) then he's done an
admirable job. That chance would not exist otherwise. I've been surprised at the
normal-looking types coming in my shop and asking for something along the lines
of Sam Rivers. I give them the incredible compilation "Red Hot On Impulse" (with
Coltrane, Sanders, Mingus, etc.) and they leave happy. It's great Sam can be
'hip' and possibly open the minds of the unopened.
Bil then said: "The trio has put out a recording, but I believe I read that it
is only on tape. I don't recall the title, but the trio is currently (according
to the festival flyer) calling itself "Sam Rivers & the Dance Science
Orchestra.""
Yes, the trio recording is only on tape. It's an out there blaster of improvised
lunacy, not for the faint hearted. Of course, it's out-of-this-world great also.
If anyone is interested in obtaining this tape, e-mail me and I'll give you the
contact info for getting ahold of it. And- Sam Rivers has a load of recordings
that span decades of jazz history, including many out of print gems on Blue Note
and Impulse. His album 'Streams' is probably easiest to get, still in print on
Blue Note. Sam is currently setting up a label with his manager that will issue
many new recordings as well as unheard older recordings.
The Sam Rivers Dance Science Orchestra is different than the trio that Bil saw.
This is Sam's 17+ piece band. They are a bevy of horns and groove, and don't
improvise like the trio does. They also maintain more of a funky structure, so
you can certainly move to them. When they do their updated version of
"Tranquility" (off the old 'Crystals' album) the walls will shake, believe me.
Check them out, Bil (and anyone else).
Sam Rivers is 72 years old and admirable for his perseverence and openmindedness
(as well as musical ability!). He has used the concept of 'DJ as
instrumentalist' in quite a few shows, even employing Q-Burn's Abstract Message
to do turntable echo tomfoolery with the trio for a Tampa show. I once made a
tape for him of DJ Shadow and he absolutely loved it. He is certainly a prize
among jazz musicians, and should be witnessed if you have the chance.
PEACE!
Michael
Q-BURNS ABSTRACT MESSAGE
email: 71333.1707@compuserve.com