Label: Blue Note
Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
Jazz
The only Blue Note recording under Kenny Drew's leadership and the last to be released under his name for a thirteen-year period, during which time the pianist would relocate to Europe, "Undercurrent" is a strong outing by the gifted pianist, composer and session leader. In the latter capacity, his job is made especially easy by a frontline of Hank Mobley and Freddie Hubbard, whose instant compatibility had been established just weeks earlier on Mobley's sterling "Roll Call" (Blue Note, 1960). Moreover, the rhythm team of bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes had become one of the more efficient power plants in jazz as regular members of Cannonball Adderley's Quintet at the peak of its popularity.
"Undercurrent" has nothing as viscerally infectious as the Adderley's "Sack O' Woe" from the same year but is an admirable program of Drew originals, ranging from the modal, streaming title piece to the self-descriptive "Funk-Cosity" to "Lion's Den," a welcome change of mood and pace, to the beboppish "The Pot's On," an elliptical melody that yields to the reassuringly warm inventiveness at which Mobley has few if any peers.
If none of the tunes is strikingly original or memorable, the same might be said of Drew's otherwise superlative post-Powell piano work. Certainly among the highlights is the opening title tune. Drums and bass walk off eight bars at a flaming tempo, Drew adds a running baroque figure for the next eight, tenor and trumpet harmonize in thirds for the next sixteen then play in unison over a pedal tone for eight more, finally re- harmonizing in thirds for the last eight before Mobley's tenor is suddenly ejected into the jet stream for the first solo. The latter player is simply masterful on this and each of his solo turns, clearly at the very top of his game during the same year that produced his masterpiece, "Soul Station." Hubbard, the comparative newcomer, isn't as fluent as Mobley but complements his frontline companion with a more aggressive, even puckish, approach, alternating between repeated percussive motifs and a soaring, passionate lyricism.
Given the size of the ensemble, the quality of the musicians, and the blowing room for each of the soloists, it's perhaps small wonder that "Undercurrent" falls just short of a personal triumph for the leader (though arguably essential to any Mobley completist). But as a democratic and exemplary Blue Note session, with strong hands vigorously played by five proven winners, this latest RVG remaster deserves a place alongside more heralded recordings during a truly golden age in the music.
By Samuel Chell.
**
Kenny Drew - "Undercurrent" released in 1960 on Blue Note Records is yet another great release that has been recently given the RVG (Rudy Van Gelder) treatment. This is such a smoking album, from start to finish. I will also say the remaster sounds great.
The lineup is also something to talk about. Who we have here are Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Sam Jones on bass, Louis Hayes on drums, and of course, Kenny Drew on piano. What's also great is all the songs are originals and no standards, not that doing standards is bad, but here Drew shows some great composing ability that makes me wonder why he's not as well known or appreciated as say someone like Horace Silver or Red Garland. Kenny is also a great bebop piano player. The title track contains one of the most scorching Freddie Hubbard solos I've ever heard. Man, he's just too good!
If you're a fan of bebop jazz, then buy this album today!
By J. Rich.
**
Kenny Drew- Piano
Hank Mobley- Tenor saxophone
Freddie Hubbard- Trumpet
Sam Jones- Acoustic bass
Louis Hayes- Drums
**
01. Undercurrent (7:23)
02. Funk-cosity (8:31)
03. Lion's Den (4:59)
04. The Pot's On (6:11)
05. Groovin' The Blues (6:24)
06. Ballade (5:33)
**
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