Album of the Week #23: Sam Rivers - Contours
This is Album of the Week #23 ~ This week's album is Sam Rivers - Contours
Year of Release: 1967
Genre(s): Avant-Garde Jazz
Country: United States
Length: 40 minutes
RYM | Listen!
Excerpt from All About Jazz:
Joining Rivers on the date are trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, drummer Joe Chambers and, most significantly, pianist Herbie Hancock and bassist Ron Carter, two players who were also exploring a more intellectual avenue between tradition and invention with Miles Davis, albeit with a more elastic time sense thanks to drummer Tony Williams. Chambers, who emerged seemingly out of nowhere around '64, was no less investigative than Williams but, on sessions with artists including Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter and Hill, demonstrated a lighter touch, less of the explosive power that was Williams' inclination.
Discussion points:
Have you heard this artist/album before? Is this your first time hearing?
Do you enjoy this genre? Is this an album you would have chosen?
Does this album remind you of something you've heard before?
What were the album's strengths or weaknesses?
Was there a standout track for you?
How did you hear the album? Where were you? What was your setup?
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I enjoy most forms of jazz, but Avant-Garde stuff is really really hit or miss for me. Sometimes it's absolutely brilliant, and sometimes it's (often literally) painful and uncomfortable to listen to.
This album was thankfully more the former than the latter though, but I don't know if I really have the musical vocabulary necessary to describe why I feel that way about it. It just had a great energy and intensity to it that I really enjoyed, and I found myself tapping my toes and drumming my fingers on the table along with the music almost the entire way through. The sheer talent on display in this album was truly incredible, and the improvising was genuinely impressive. It's honestly hard to believe anyone is actually capable of improvising at that speed!
Speaking of which, I know Sam Rivers is the main artist behind this album, but I found some of his Sax improv did come dangerously close to becoming "noise" at various points for me, instead of being music... and it was actually the trumpet, drums, piano, and bass that I enjoyed the most. They held everything together for me during the less appealing Sax parts, since I could focus on them instead of the cacophony (heh) the Sax was sometimes producing.
p.s. @boredop, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this album, since you're our resident Jazz expert.
Not sure what to say other than "I like it." Rivers's style was pretty far out for the time but in a modern context it's not too shocking, at least not on this album. I suppose Herbie and Ron knew when to go with him and when to keep him reeled in, after playing with him in Miles's band.
Heh, nothing wrong with just saying "I like it." :P But I still appreciate the reply. I didn't know this was considered tame by modern standards, but I also don't tend to listen to a whole lot of Avant-Garde Jazz. Any recommendations for something more modern and far out there (but still enjoyable) to compare it to?
Agreed, this was very approachable Avant-garde jazz - it had that classic Blue Note sound throughout. I didn't mind Rivers' playing here, and reading about his history he was definitely pushing that Avant-garde sound more than his peers at the time, but it definitely felt like Hubbard's trumpet here was the star of the show.
'Lightness of touch' is definitely a good descriptor this record. The quiet moments are articulate and well paced, and even the big moments feel shimmery and quick on their feet.
Ultimately I think it's that Blue Note sound that lets it down. By 1967 it was pretty codified, and there's so many other great Jazz albums to be distracted by, I can see why this album has historically been a little lost in the mix.
I felt the same. The trumpet solos were great. But the few piano solos on the album were also exceptional too... which isn't surprising given it it was Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock playing them. One of my all-time favorite jazz tracks is by those two; Cantaloupe Island