Recorded live on July 27 1979 at Denon
Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan
Freddie Hubbard – Trumpet
Wayne Shorter – Tenor
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Ron Carter – Bass
Tony Williams – Drums
I first heard VSOP some 20 years ago
and what struck me then was the vitality
of every member of the band. These guys
give 150% on every performance! Everyone
is at virtuoso level on his instrument
and when all this is combined together,
ground breaking music is produced.
Looking at the personnel of the group
it seems to be the Miles Davies with Freddie
Hubbard replacing Miles. The difference
is that whilst Miles’ music at this stage
was rarely joyful, the much more forceful
and inventive drive of Hubbard changes
not only the overall sound of the band,
but the way the other musicians play as
well.
I must confess that I cannot at all times
understand what is going on, I have always
found it necessary to listen to the playing
of VSOP more than once to really enjoy
it.
Ron Carter and Tony Williams combined
to change what is expected of the modern
jazz rhythm section forever. Herbie Hancock
has such a mastery of the piano in any
kind of music that he has probably become
the most in demand musician in the world.
The difference between the VSOP musicians
and the previous generation of jazz musicians
is stark, because of their sheer musical
genius these guys are able to work successfully
in any genre and they do. They have been
able to transcend the normal pattern of
jazz musicians, struggling to make a crust,
they have all become international stars
able to demand fees that keep them a long
away from the breadline. This led to some
resentment by jazz fans in the USA, but
has been a pattern followed by the majority
of their successors.
The two CD’s were made live on two consecutive
nights to the delight of very excited
Japanese audiences. At the time they were
recorded jazz had a larger following in
Japan than anywhere else in the world,
which accounts for the many re-releases
(vinyl to CD), that were recorded in the
70’s. They had every reason to be excited,
they were hearing five of the most creative
musicians in jazz, pushing the jazz frontiers
forward. Members of the group created
all the compositions, only Wayne Shorter
did not have a title credit.
Whether all this jazz frontier pushing
makes for pleasant listening is something
everyone has a feeling about. What has
to be acknowledged is that without it,
everyone would still be playing New Orleans
jazz and the music would have faded into
obscurity,
On the second night there was an encore
featuring Hancock and Shorter on Stella
by Starlight, the audience seem delighted
to hear a standard tune and unusually
for Shorter, he stays close enough to
the melody in the theme statement for
it to be instantly recognised. The same
comments apply to On Green Dolphin Street,
which lasts a mere 2.17, Hancock’s contribution
to both of these tracks is exceptional.
VSOP were an outstanding, groundbreaking
group and every serious jazz fan needs
something of theirs in their collection.
This two CD set is ideal.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Columbia/Legacy C2K 87165
