Back Together Again
Back Together Again | ||||
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Studio album by Fred Anderson & Hamid Drake | ||||
Released | 2004 | |||
Recorded | December 2003 | |||
Studio | Soma Studios, Chicago | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 72:43 | |||
Label | Thrill Jockey | |||
Fred Anderson chronology | ||||
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Back Together Again is an album by American jazz saxophonist Fred Anderson with drummer Hamid Drake, which was recorded in 2003 and released on the Thrill Jockey label. They played together for more than 30 years, but this was their first duo recording. A bonus CD-ROM includes footage of three of the tunes along with interviews in which Anderson and Drake dissect the process of how the songs evolve and the different styles and approaches the two use.[1]
Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [3] |
The Village Voice | A−[4] |
Reviewing for The Village Voice in September 2004, Tom Hull said, "It feels like [Anderson]'s finally found his way. Master drummer Drake, who learned to play alongside Anderson's son when his family moved to Chicago, keeps the rhythms bubbling, getting a robust but subdued sound from his frame drums that keeps Anderson relaxed and generous."[4]
In his review for AllMusic, Sean Westergaard states "Anderson can spin endlessly creative melodic improvisations on tenor, and Hamid Drake is every bit his equal on the traps and frame drums. It should be no surprise that this set is amazing. Both men are at the top of their game."[2]
The All About Jazz review by Rex Butters says "Hamid Drake and Fred Anderson bring the fruits of their long association to bear and share that magic chemistry as a stunning document of just how much music two people can make."[5]
The JazzTimes review by Mike Shanley notes that "The eight tracks are likely spontaneous improvisations, but each has a structural focus in rhythm and melody. Neither musician pushes at the other too aggressively, preferring instead to move in tandem."[6]
In another review for JazzTimes, Chris Kelsey claims "This is a very solid, occasionally superlative session-proof positive that the best jazz coming from Chicago still has its roots in the AACM."[7]
The PopMatters review by Patrick Sisson states "Back Together Again finally documents an amazing working relationship between two friends and musicians. With such stellar results, it’s almost more unbelievable that nobody has ever had these two record as a duet before."[8]
Track listing
- "Leap Forward" - 7:39
- "Black Women" - 7:23
- "Back Together Again" - 13:49
- "Losel Drolma" - 5:49
- "A Ray from THE ONE" - 9:03
- "Louisiana Strut" - 9:30
- "Know Your Advantage (The Great Tradition)" - 6:42
- "Lama Khgenno (Heart's Beloved)" - 12:48
Personnel
- Fred Anderson - tenor sax
- Hamid Drake - drums
References
- ^ Back Together Again at Thrill Jockey
- ^ a b Westergaard, Sean. Fred Anderson - Back Together Again: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (9th ed.). London: Penguin. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-14-103401-0.
- ^ a b Hull, Tom (September 28, 2004). "Jazz Consumer Guide (2): The Caribbean Tinge". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 25, 2020 – via tomhull.com.
- ^ Butters, Rex. Back Together Again review at All About Jazz
- ^ Shanley, Mike. Back Together Again review at JazzTimes
- ^ Kelsey, Chris. Back Together Again review at JazzTimes
- ^ Sisson, Patrick. Back Together Again review at PopMatters
- v
- t
- e
- The Missing Link (1979)
- Vintage Duets (with Steve McCall, 1980)
- Black Horn Long Gone (1993)
- Birdhouse (1995)
- Fred Chicago Chamber Music (1996)
- Fred Anderson / DKV Trio (1996)
- Back Together Again (with Hamid Drake, 2003)
- From the River to the Ocean (with Hamid Drake, 2007)
- Staying in the Game (2008)
- Dark Day (1979)
- The Milwaukee Tapes Vol. 1 (1980)
- Destiny (with Marilyn Crispell and Hamid Drake, 1994)
- Live at the Velvet Lounge (1998)
- Fred Anderson Quartet Volume One (1998)
- 2 Days in April (1999)
- Fred Anderson Quartet Volume Two (1999)
- Duets 2001 (with Robert Barry, 1999)
- Birthday Live 2000 (2000)
- On the Run, Live at the Velvet Lounge (2000)
- Back at the Velvet Lounge (2002)
- The Great Vision Concert (2003)
- Blue Winter (2004)
- Timeless, Live at the Velvet Lounge (2005)
- Live at the Velvet Lounge Volume III (2007)
- A Night at the Velvet Lounge Made in Chicago 2007 (2007)
- 21st Century Chase (2009)