WS0Q pays homage to Hemphili

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Debussy) sounds like Mozart filtered through a Conlon Nancarrow player piano. Jackson brings in ideas from a wide range of sources with two pianists who figured - prominently in his life (Jaki Byard and Don Pullen) loom- ing large over the solo ses- sions. Often as not he Pushes + the envelope on what is jazz, undoubtedly making his icon- clastic mentors proud. .. For the Anthem date a. Jackson plays the Hammond “B3 organ as well as piano with Jack DeJohnette sitting in with the quintet on drums. The other musicians include James Carter on saxophones; Christian Howes — electric, acoustic and “dis-

torted” violins and acoustic guitar; Richard Bona — electric bass.

Mino Cinelu is added on percussion for some tracks including the funky “Her Song” which brings to mind the glory days of . ‘Weather Report. °

Bitrikk World Saxdphone Quartet _ Requiem fer fas Gustin Time). : David Murray, Oliver. Lake, Hamiett Bluiett and John Purceli 2 joyful noise ‘remembering their buddy the late, great Julius Hemphill. . : The alto saxophonist, one of the founding members of the - ‘SQ; died of diabetes complications in 1995. A native of Fort ‘Worth, Texas he incorporated both funk and free j jazz elements ithin ‘his ‘own music... : : Hemphill studied clarinet with usicologist James Carter and. orked in Ike Tumer’s R&B - while finding his own voice: He noved to St. Louis in:

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moved on to New York City and became part of that decade's loft scene hooking up with the players who would join him in the World Saxophone Quartet. Hemphill performed with the WSQ (Murray, Lake and Bluictt) throughout the "80s leaving the band in 1993 with Arthur Blythe replacing him at that time.

For their homage to Hemphill the WSQ went into Montreal’s Studio Victor Studios last September with a set of new tunes that touch on many aspects of his music blending ta- ditional song forms with an avant garde approach.

’ B &&&k* Denzal Sinclaire — I Found Love (Verve). Fresh from their success on stage with the Nat King Cole tribute Bill Coon and Denzal Sinclaire return with a new album of pep jazz standards.

See Douglas Page 22

Wiki TICKETS T0 DENZAL ‘SINCLAIRE AT THE JAZZ FEST

“The Denzal Sinclaire Tentet performs at the Vancouver

East Cultural Centre on Tuesday, June 27 as part of the

--duMaurier international Jazz Festival. To win tickets to sea Sinclaire and a copy of his latest CD release on

Verve Records, { Found Love, tell us who he pald tribute to on stage recently. Send your entries to Denzai Sinclaire Contest, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale

“Avenue, North Vancouver, BC _V7M 2H4. Attn: John Goodman.

‘You can fax ontries to 965-2104 or e-mail to <jgoodman@nsnews.com>. Deadline far

ae . the contest is Wednesday, June 21, 5 p.m. Winners of the random draw will be - telephoned. Runners-up will receive copies of the Verve CD. ©

tern that . ‘quality warns,

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Hig’ shoo — wows -21 straighter with age

@ x&kkx* The Tragically Hip — Music @ Work (Universal).

Jan-Christian Sorensen Contributing Writer THE Tragically Hip are back at work.

After a two-year hiatus following the release of 1998's Phantom Power, the Canadian flag-bearing fivesome is back in Music@Work, a shining, eclec- tic offering that clearly demon- strates that the Hip, like fine wine er Ann-Margaret, is only getting better with age.

While every new offering from the band is a lyrical and musical journey, this 14-track . effort strikes a chord reminis- cent of the Hip’s low-key yet high-quality 96 offering, -

Trouble in the Henhouse.

The three-minute opening title track plunges listeners . smack-dab inte Downie’s trademark roller-coaster vocal intona- tions, punctuated by Johnny Fay’s crashing cymbal work.

For those who have been lucky enough to see the band live in concert, the track conjures up images of Downie onstage, deep in his smirking, convulsing reverie, eyebrows arched and torso twist: ing to and fro. :

Other highlights of the CD include the symphonic and toe- tapping “Bobcaygcon”-esque “Lake: Fever”, where _Downic waxes sexual better than he ever did on Day for Nigh f’s “Grace, Too”:

“PU ell you a story about the Take Fever or. we can sip te the : coital fury. i

You didn’t say yes or no, neither.

You whispered, inurry...”

"The fast-paced “Putting Down” also g gives Downie a chance to. .

on his poetic pedestal and beat his chest: "Held a bird's cag between her breasts. there’s reasons for the rond, I guess

to document the indigenous,

to paint and sketch

paint and sketch - : - Pm starting to fail to be impresed...”

Julie Doiron, formerly of Eric’ s Trip and the Wooden “Stars, lends a whispery hush to Downie’ svocals in “The ¢ Completsts” ae