Jazz
Perhaps the single album that best sums up Bobby Hutcherson's early musical personality, Components is appropriately split into two very distinct halves. The first features four Hutcherson originals in a melodic but still advanced hard bop style, while the latter half has four free-leaning avant-garde pieces by drummer Joe Chambers. Hutcherson allots himself more solo space than on Dialogue, but that's no knock on the excellent supporting cast, which includes Herbie Hancock on piano, James Spaulding on alto sax and flute, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and Ron Carter on bass. It's just more Hutcherson's date, and he helps unite the disparate halves with a cool-toned control that's apparent regardless of whether the material is way outside or more conventionally swinging. In the latter case, Hutcherson's originals are fairly diverse, encompassing rhythmically complex hard bop (the title track), pensive balladry ("Tranquillity," which features a lovely solo by Hancock), down-and-dirty swing ("West 22nd Street Theme"), and the gaily innocent "Little B's Poem," which went on to become one of Hutcherson's signature tunes and contains some lyrical flute work from Spaulding. The Chambers pieces tend to be deliberate explorations that emphasize texture and group interaction in the manner of Dialogue, except that there's even more freedom in terms of both structure and tonal center. (The exception is the brief but beautiful closing number, "Pastoral," an accurate title if ever there was one.) Components illustrated that Hutcherson was not only the most adventurous vibes player on the scene, but that he was also capable of playing more straightforward music with intelligence and feeling.
By Steve Huey, All Music Guide.
**
Bobby Hutcherson's COMPONENTS is essentially two distinctly separate discs in one. The first half of the session is a very traditional hardbop date that showcases Hutcherson's inventive compositions with masterful solos from he and his men. The second half is made up of four compositions from frequent Hutcherson sideman, drummer Joe Chambers. These pieces are full-fledged avant-garde works featuring dramatic group improvisation and grand swathes of color and texture. In all, these two juxtaposed styles offer the listener a highly enjoyable aural experience.
Chambers is featured prominently on the punchy title track and starts the first half of the session with a bang. The graceful ballad "Tranquility" follows with a deeply passionate solo from Hutcherson and delicate work from pianist Herbie Hancock. The familiar Hutcherson composition, "Little B's Poem," is also included and is given a spirited reading here. After the bluesy "West 22nd Street Theme," the second half begins with Chambers' mysterious "Movement," a swirling epic featuring orchestral percussion and colorful work by James Spaulding on flute. "Juba Dance" and "Air" also feature colorful dissonance and creative free improvisation by all. The final "Pastoral," however, is a beautiful vibraphone feature that lives up to its bucolic title.
From CD Universe.
**
Bobby Hutcherson- (Vibraphone, Marimba);
James Spaulding- (Alto Sax, Flute);
Freddie Hubbard- (Trumpet);
Herbie Hancock- (Piano);
Ron Carter- (Bass);
Joe Chambers- (Drums).
**
A1. Components 6:23
A2. Tranquility 5:01
A3. Little B's Poem 5:08
A4. West 22nd Street Theme 4:42
B1. Movement 7:29
B2. Juba Dance 5:21
B3. Air 4:45
B4. Pastoral 2:02
**
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