NatJim, Natsuki Tamura, Jim Black

 

In the history of Jazz, an important if at times under-discussed element is of configuration, ensemble size and makeup, the most obvious being big bands, as opposed to generally smaller groups such as the quartet. In the piano realm the solo configuration predates the Jazz form of course, while the trio of piano, bass and drums gradually and increasingly holds pride of place for piano Jazz. But in the realm of Jazz Modernism, there were other key possibilities--most especially in the early example of the solo tenor of Coleman Hawkins in "Picasso." After a number of years Bean's gem eventually led the way to important solo horn recordings such as Anthony Braxton's For Alto. Then beginning with Gerry Mulligan Quartets with Chet Baker and then Ornette Coleman's classic quartets and trios, and also in the later '50s the Sonny Rollins' Trio, so there was the gradual rise and triumph of the pianoless horn and rhythm group.

Finally we come to another configuration watershed that concerns us especially here, of trumpet and drums, beginning with Don Cherry's exceptional two-volume 1969 Mu with drummer Ed Blackwell. 

For every style there are associated a number of configuration or more in time. Like other radically pared configurations the trumpet-drum duo gives itself well to free melodics and rhythmic figurations.This is excitingly true with the new album NatJim (Libra Records 102-074) that pairs Satoko Fuji's lifemate Natsuki Tamura on trumpet with Jim Black on drums Here we feel a peak of creative frisson throughout.

The album divides into some nine Tamura compositions, some more obviously composed, others flowing remarkably in a  spontaneous zone that gives drummer Black a special melodic continuity of purpose, a fully developed and linear full set drum language that sets off Tamura's wide ranging romps nicely.

This is a superior set that ranks I think with the finest radically minimal configuration offerings out there today. Do not miss it. Tamura and Black shine like supernovas that define themselves increasingly with successive listens. Outstanding.

Listen to a stream of a representative track on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/bk-music-pr/morning-city