Time＜限定盤＞

Larry Nozeros and pianist Dennis Tinis Time was the debut album for both; its the final set released by Detroit-based Strata Records. The saxophonist and flutist possessed an elegant tone and authoritative command of jazz, soul, funk, classical, and rock. Nozero was also an influential educator for two decades at Wayne State University. He was passionate about Brazilian music, particularly the work of Antonio Carlos Jobim. His final album, Ruby & the Pearl in collaboration with jazz vocalist Shahida Nurullah, included two Jobim tunes, linking it to Time, which includes the two-part Jobim soundtrack composition "Chronicle of a Murdered House." Nozero died in 2005 from complications due to cancer at age 61. The Time lineup includes Tini on keys, drummer Danny Spencer, bassist Ron Brooks, conguero George Pardo, and chamber strings. It was produced by Charles Moore. Nozero composed one tune and co-wrote the spacy, vanguard "Two Worlds" with Tini. The keyboardist composed three individual works. Also included are innovative versions of the standards "All the Things You Are" and "Baubles Bangles and Beads." The opener, Tinis "Reflections of My Past," is introduced by chime-like chords on Rhodes piano before Nozeros flute articulates the melody backed by Brooks, Spencer, and Pardo. Strings enter in the second chorus, adding dimension to Nozeros gorgeous solo. "Tony" is an expressionist pairing of tenor saxophone and strings. Nozeros interaction is seamless as he responds to their restrained harmonics with soulful, imaginative, and bluesy blowing. The two-part "Chronicle of a Murdered House" is the albums hinge piece. Its first entry is incantatory with melodic saxophone, rolling tom-toms, ghostly bells, and a minimal bassline. Nozeros playing approaches Gato Barbieris score for Last Tango in Paris. It serves as an intro to the second part, which weds samba, bossa, and hard bop as the jazz quintet interacts with a pillowy string section and Tini lays out a gloriously funky and warm Rhodes piano solo. Tinis "Tune for L.N." is wondrously funky yet elegant. The bumping bass, congas, and rimshot snares meet a raw, wordless vocalese under swirling, distorted Rhodes piano, soaring flute, and a deep, funky bassline in dialogue with both drummers. Tinis "Impressions of My Lady" is a vulnerable, evocative ballad with graceful, elegant, harmonic abstractions. The classical vocal intro to the standard "All the Things You Are" offers scatted vocalese and Tinis clavinet that sounds like a harpsichord. Immediately after, Nozero leads the band straight into high-flying bebop as he sprints through the melody and solo. Closer "Baubles Bangles & Beads" is initially unrecognizable. Its deeply funky, its melody gets striated under Tinis Sergio Mendes-esque piano vamp and samba-style vocalese. (Nozero played with Mendes for a time and absorbed his successful experiments in melding Brazilian music to pop, soul, and jazz.) Time is rightfully considered a Detroit jazz classic. After DJ Amir reclaimed Strata in 2012, the labels expanded reach transformed the albums availability; its a highly sought-after, international jazz classic that sounds like no other recording from the era. ~ Thom Jurek