1.The Know What to What
2.Harmolodic Bebop
3.Sex Spy
4.City Living
5.See-Thru
6.Compute.
Denardo Coleman - Percussion, Drums
Ornette Coleman - Trumpet, Violin, Alto
Charles Ellerbee - Guitar (Electric)
Sahir Kamal - Percussion, Drums
Al Macdowell - Guitar (Bass)
Bern Nix - Guitar (Electric)
Jamaaladeen Tacuma - Bass.
Review by Scott Yanow
Ornette Coleman's innovative Prime Time band is heard at the peak of its powers on this LP from the small Caravan of Dream label. The altoist/leader is the main voice throughout the otherwise very democratic ensembles, which feature guitarists Bern Nix and Charles Ellerbee, bassists Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Albert MacDowell, and drummers Denardo Coleman and Sabir Kamal. The six originals, which include such titles as "To Know What to Know," "Harmolodic Bebop" and "Sex Spy," feature dense ensembles, equal doses of dissonance and wit, and more than their share of high energy. This was the leading "free funk" band of the 1980s, and this LP, which is worth a search by open-eared listeners, gives one a definitive look into the group's unusual music.
Opening the Caravan of Dreams
ReplyDeleteThanks luigi
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for this rip. I have this LP and haven't listened to it in years. I was lucky enough to be at Ornette's second Caravan of Dreams concert. Well, two concerts actually. Caravan was a happening place in the 1980s in Ft. Worth, TX. The dome you see on the cover of the lp was on the top of the building and housed a bar up there. The lowest level of the building had the jazz club where everyone from Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Cecil Taylor and many others had shows. The upper floor housed a theater which performed avant garde theater. I remember seeing posters for one such play called, of all things, "Negros in Space." Anyway, it was cool seeing this LP on your blog. Sure brought back many great memories. Now to give Primetime a listen. Oh, things I remember about Ornette's group, the same one as this LP: it was LOUD as hell. The group itself was basically two groups in one. Electric drums, rocked out guitar, etc., and on the other side accoustic drums, a laid back smooth jazz guitarist, (Charles Ellerbee), oh it was cool as hell. Just like you hear on this recording. Same tunes actually. They played the identical set when I saw them. Ornette smelled like old cigars. (We had the table closest to the stage). He also played violin and a very expensive, gold plated Schilke trumpet. (I'm a trumpet player, so I had my eyes on it!) Anyway, THANKS!!
ReplyDeleteD. Miller