Todd Cochran’s debut
album, Worlds Around The Sun, which
he recorded and released under the name Bayeté, is an excellent collection of
original compositions mixing jazz and funk. For some reason it was not released
on CD until this month. This CD issue contains two previously unreleased bonus
tracks, including the phenomenal “Shine The Knock,” a wild, energetic,
delicious twelve-minute track. New liner notes include an interview with Todd Cochran
about these songs. I appreciate that the liner notes also say “Bobby Hutcherson appears courtesy of himself
and Blue Note Records.” Usually it just lists the label, as if the musician
had no say in the matter. And yes, Bobby Hutcherson plays vibes and marimba on
this album.
The music contained on
this album has a beautiful and intoxicating freedom about it, without being chaotic, as some
jazz tends to be when it tries to attain heights of freedom. There are rhythms
and grooves, but the music itself has a freeing quality. Sometimes music can
lift you out of yourself, take you on a journey if you let it. There are times
when listening to music that I feel completely unrestricted, and it comes as a
surprise that I can’t levitate or pass through walls. Bayeté's music taps into
that, contributes to that sense. I wonder if it will have the same effect for
you. I hope so. Let me know.
“It Ain’t”
The album’s first track, “It
Ain’t,” opens with pretty, uplifting tones. But it’s Todd Cochran’s work on
piano that I really love on this track, and the way the piano and percussion
interact. It’s like dancing, except like two dances colliding and merging. The
instruments interact in surprising ways on this track, like a real and honest
conversation. And I love the bass solo, with just touches of piano over it. That
leads to a good drum solo.
“Free Angela (Thoughts…and all I’ve got to say)”
“Free Angela (Thoughts…and
all I’ve got to say)” is a tune inspired by and about Angela Davis, a woman who
was once on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List. This is a very groovy and
funky number, with a surprising “Free
Angela” chant coming in early on. But the instruments speak just as clearly
and eloquently as the voices. This is an exciting and engaging composition.
Every track on this release is really good, but this is one of the highlights.
It has sort of a false ending, as it fades out a few minutes in, then changes,
like there are other things to say on the subject. And these are expressed as more relaxed, thoughtful
reflections – less urgent, perhaps less emotional, like there has been some
time to process what’s happened.
Santana recorded a version of this tune a year later. This
was not the only song inspired by Angela Davis. John Lennon included a song
title “Angela” about her on Sometime In
New York City, released in 1972. The Rolling Stones recorded “Sweet Black
Angel” about Angela Davis, including it on their 1972 record Exile On Main St.
“Njeri (Belonging
to a warrior)”
“Njeri (Belonging to a
warrior)” for me often feels like floating, even flying above the world, and
being able to look down with some detachment and with some love. And then,
interestingly, other sections of the song feel to me like they’re coming from
the other perspective of being down amid the busyness of living and looking up
and wishing to rise above. And then there comes an interaction between the two
perspectives that is beautiful, even comforting. That’s just my take, of
course.
“I’m On It” then has a
great, funky groove, and vocals. I love the way this album combines jazz and
more funky elements. It’s great that “Njeri” is followed by this much earthier
groove. Perfect.
“Bayeté (Between man and god)
“Bayeté (Between man and
god),” the album’s big track, bears the same name that Todd Cochran gave himself
at the time of this album. The word is defined in its parenthetical title: “Between
man and god.” The track begins with a kind of urgency, the drums setting the
pace and drive. There is something hurried early on, but the nearly soothing
repetition of the bass line changes it from feeling rushed to almost a sort of
dance. And of course the tune changes from there, exploring several avenues but
never straying too far afield, and maintaining a sort of flow. Toward the end
you realize you’re completely caught up in it, and it’s nearly magical. It’s a
tremendous piece of music, and I’m particularly fond of Todd Cochran’s work on
keys.
“Eurus (The southeast wind)”
The album then takes on a
mellower vibe with “Eurus (The southeast wind).” Things are a lot slower, but
the bass at moments still presses against the slower atmosphere. It takes a few
moments, but this atmosphere overtakes you and carries you along with it,
lightly, like you weigh nothing. And eventually your colors blend with those of
this composition, and then it’s over.
Bonus Tracks
This CD issue of Worlds Around The Sun contains two bonus
tracks, both previously unreleased. The first, “Phoebe,” is a cool jazz piece
with a great pace, the horns soaring and singing. It gets pretty wild at
moments, and also includes a bass solo.
As cool as that track is,
it pales next to the supreme excitement and brilliance of “Shine The Knock,”
the second bonus track. This is twelve and a half minutes of bliss. It has a
great funky base from which it builds and flows and climbs and explodes. This
is a fantastic and joyous jam. Wow. And wow. And again, wow. And to think this
wasn’t ever released before. Insane.
CD Track List
- It Ain’t
- Free Angela (Thoughts…and all I’ve got to say)
- Njeri (Belonging to a warrior)
- I’m On It
- Bayeté (Between man and god)
- Eurus (The southeast wind)
- Phoebe
- Shine The Knock
This special re-issue of Worlds Around The Sun was released on
March 11, 2014 through Omnivore Recordings.
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