LP: Blue Note 84291 1 Herzog (Hutcherson) 2 Total Eclipse (Hutcherson) 3 Matrix (Corea) 4 Same Shame (Hutcherson) 5 Pompeian (Hutcherson) Personnel Recording Date & Location Commentary Total Eclipse was the first album from the quintet to be released in Hutcherson's name. Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's New Jersey studio, this album employs an East Coast rhythm section of Chick Corea (p); Reggie Johnson (b); and Joe Chambers (d). Stanley Cowell rather Chick Corea was the quintet's most frequently-used East Coast pianist, but no one would fault Corea's contribution on this album. Corea, who was taking a break from Miles Davis' group, appears on Total Eclipse because this lineup had just completed NYC engagements at Slug's and The Village Vanguard. All of the compositions are Hutcherson's except for "Matrix,"
which is by Chick Corea. (You may have heard this track before on Corea's
"Now He Sings, Now He Sobs.") Every one of the cuts are superb,
but I have to make a special mention of "Pompeian," the album's
closing track. It starts off in a straight-forward style. The theme is
whimsical, almost child-like. But before long it modulates into flowing
free-form interplay. There's something very spiritual, even celestial
about this music--plus it's wide-eyed, innocent, and full of wonder. The
only other music I've heard that manages to combine these disparate qualities
so skillfully, so naturally is Charles Ives'. It's unusual to hear music
that manages to be full of joy while at the same time seeking, questing
so vehemently. |
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