Caryl Baker Quartet - True Balance (UNIT RECORDS 2017)

With a combination of lyricism, rhythmical energy, restraint and exuberance, the music presented as it is makes a strong impression of its improvisational prowess, and it’s constant "search for sound" reveals the different musical personalities.

The music of the quartet puts great emphasis on themes and improvisation, sometimes developed on complex harmonies and rhythms. The saxophones are supported by an inventive and solid rhythm section, allowing the band total freedom and interactivity.

1. Understatement 5:41

2. Don't Loose It 5:30

3. Rue Franche 5:58

4. A Distinction Without a Difference 9:32

5. Destiny's Dance 5:33

6. Skyline 7:12

7. Southpaw 3:43

8. Ruse 10:29

9. The Essence of Silence (Live) 7:49

10. Plus de Nouvelles (Live) 3:27

Caryl Baker: piano

Luigi Galati: drums

Emanuel Schnyder: double bass

Daniel Erismann: trumpet / flugelhorn

Lucien Dubuis: bass clarinet (guest on 1, 2, 5, 6)

Chico Freeman: saxophone

Recorded and mixed on 18 - 20 March 2016 by Clé ment Gariel at Studio de Meudon, Paris, France 

Mastered by Julien Basserès at Studio de Meudon, Paris, France

All compositions by Caryl Baker and Chico Freeman 

Produced by Chico Freeman

Executive producers: Caryl Baker, Unit Records 

Photos: Ekaterina Semenova (front), Ferrucio Gadani (back), John Reift (inside)

Design: page17.ch

Thanks to Of ce de la culture du canton de BerneSwisslos, Soutien culturel de la ville Biel/Bienne, Pourcent-culturel Migros / Tracks 9 & 10 recorded live at the Auvernier International Jazz Festival.

Special Thanks to Luigi, Emanuel, Daniel, Chico, Lucien, Bernard Faulon (for his warm welcome and wonderful studio), Clément, Julien, the Baker family and Federico Leonardi for their great dedication for making this project possible.

Chico Freeman & Heiri Känzig - The Arrival (2015)

A magic duo: Chico Freeman, 65, saxophonist, clarinettist, flute player, composer from Chicago, an eminent improvisor and Heiri Känzig, 58, born in New York, the Swiss double bass virtuoso. A transatlantic dialogue between one of America’s most versatile saxophonists and one of Europe’s most ‘all-round’ bass players.

Freeman and Känzig share that passion for the centre of gravity of the Jazz tradition, albeit with one precondition: that of transformation. And, with all their abilities for strong, heavy grooves, there is that preference for me-lody. „If you groove like hell and there’s no melody, it makes no sense.” (Känzig).

Peter Rüedi writes in the liner notes to The Arrival: „We could also read ‘The Arrival’ as something of an arrival at the centre of Jazz: Jazz, in the present tense. Or as it were: tradition in transition.

Chico Freeman: Tenor Saxophone

Heiri Känzig: Double Bass

1. One for Eddie Who 2 (Heiri Känzig) 3:51

2. Early Snow (Heiri Känzig) 3:46

3. The Essence of Silence (Chico Freeman) 6:22

4. Ancient Dancer (Chico Freeman) 4:56

5. Will I See You in the Morning (Chico Freeman) 7:28

6. Dat Dere (Bobby Timmons) 4:31

7. Song For the sun (Chico Freeman – Heiri Känzig) 5:45

8. Just play (Chico Freeman – H eiri Känzig) 3:43

9. Eye of the Fly (Heiri Känzig) 5:43

10. After the Rain (John Coltrane) 4:07

11. To Hear a Teardrop In the Rain (Chico Freeman) 4:32

12. Chamber’s Room (Heiri Känzig) 5:41

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Chico Freeman 4-tet - Spoken Into Existence (2015)

Label: Rens Newland / Jive Music Austria

Source: Cdbaby 

Jive Music Austria is honored to present the third album in a row of the great Chico Freeman! He’s a legend, but is at the same time not laying back and resting on the
laurels of his history. Far from it: He’s always on the move, making new projects with new and interesting musicians and with the newest recording tools and technics as well! For this CD he brought some of the finest musicians together that work and live in Europe; with them he can also tour Europe more easily, without so much time lost on long overseas flights. These guys each are splendid on
their instruments and well known with their groups and projects, together they are tight and sound as a unit with Mr. Freeman as the crown jewel on this royal swingin’ and groovin’ group! The repertoire is mainly original pieces of Chico’s and some of the other members
of the quartet. The cd is completed with
some special versions of great and special standards like “Seven Steps to Heaven”
and “Soft Pedal Blues”. The Bandleader is also very proud to present an anthology of songs, each dedicated to, and inspired by
his daughters: Erika, Luani, N’tiana, Nia and Lara! These songs are very special and with the others that are composed and played with warm-hearted sensitivity you feel the positive, expressive power of this unique artist!

01.Seven Steps to Heaven
02.Free Man
03.India Blue
04.Black Inside
05.Dance of Light for Luani
06.Nia’s Quest
07.N’tiana’s Dream
08.Lara’s Lullaby
09.Erika’s Reverie
10.Soft Pedal Blues
11.Niskayuna
12.The Crossing
13.Ballad for Hakima

Chico Freeman - saxophones
Antonio Faraò - piano
Heiri Känzig - bass
Michael Baker - drums

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