(Modern Creative, Post Bop, Contemporary Jazz) [CD] Gerd Dudek - 'smatter - 2002, FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Review by François Couture
Gerd Dudek has been active on the European jazz scene since the early '60s, but his discography as a leader is paper thin. Evan Parker, who plays with him in the Globe Unity Orchestra and runs the small label Psi, has great respect for his art. So he salvaged a studio session recorded in February 1998 and released it in March 2002. Regardless of Parker's biography and the label's other releases, 'Smatter is jazz, almost 100 percent pure. The title comes from a tune by Kenny Wheeler, one of three interpreted here. The remainder of the set is occupied by renditions of "Body and Soul," "By George," and "The Peacocks" -- all standards. Dudek shifts between soprano and tenor, depending on the piece's mood (romantic or lively, respectively). Electric guitarist John Parricelli, bassist Chris Laurence, and drummer Tony Levin (of Mujician fame) back him up. The amount of Wheeler material ensures a dreamy ECM feel for the first third of the disc (Parricelli's relaxed playing and use of pedal volume contribute much to the atmosphere). Paradoxically, the beat-up standard "Body and Soul" yields the most feverish moments, the only ones illustrating Dudek's interests in free jazz. "The Peacocks" proves how rich and seductive his soprano tone can be. 'Smatter makes a nice straight-ahead session, elegant but lacking challenge.

Review by John Eyles
Wow! If Evan Parker's Lines Burnt in Light was an extraordinary debut for his new Psi label then this, the label's second release, is even more of a cause for celebration. According to Parker's sleeve note, this is the first ever release under Dudek's own name. (Yes, he has had joint credits—for instance the trio albums on Konnex—but not sole credit.) Anyway, be that as it may, this album is both surprising and wonderful. Whatever preconceptions one may have about Dudek from his work with Globe Unity Orchestra or Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra are blown away. All six tracks are other people's compositions, including three by Kenny Wheeler. (Despite his exalted status as a player and leader, Wheeler's most lasting legacy may well prove to be his compositions.) From Dudek's first notes on the opener, Wheeler's "Phase Three," his playing is rich-toned, melodic and emotionally charged. While those are qualities he has displayed elsewhere, the straight-ahead jazz context here reveals them in a new light.
Dudek recorded with those stalwarts of the British scene, John Parricelli, Chris Laurence and Tony Levin, not the most obvious choice of bands for him. They largely act as a rhythm section (and a mighty fine one), allowing Dudek to stay in the solo spotlight, with Parricelli's guitar repeatedly grabbing the attention for its understated yet highly inventive support.
Most remarkable of the pieces here is the seventeen-minute "Body & Soul." My heart simultaneously sinks and flutters whenever I see it listed on a saxophonist's album. What can they find to do or say that is fresh and original without being just quirky? Dudek's version is a tour-de-force with few points of comparison. It opens with ensemble playing that is as close as the album gets to free playing (i.e. not very!) before Dudek hits his stride with a sustained, flowing Coltranesque solo that teases out the strands of the theme. This leads into an unaccompanied rapid-fire sax interlude, more in keeping with preconceptions of Dudek's playing, before the dramatic reappearance of the band for a storming climax.
This music was recorded as long ago as February 1998. The fact that it has remained unreleased for four years is inexplicable; we owe Parker and Psi a debt of gratitude. For Evan Parker to release another saxophonist on his own label speaks volumes; Dudek more than lives up to that vote of confidence.
Review by Peter Marsh
This second album on Evan Parker's Psi label is a bit of a shock in a couple of ways. ThoughDudek's name will be familiar to any fan of European Free Jazz as a member of the Globe Unity Orchestra and veteran of sessions with Tony Oxley, Peter Brotzmann.Misha Mengelberg etc, surprisingly this is his first outing as sole leader, at the age of 63.
Secondly, this is an album of tastefully executed, tuneful modern jazz that would be worthy of a label like Enja or ECM (not to decry Mr Parker's rather excellent imprint). Dudek's partners are seasoned Britjazzersguitarist John Paricelli, bassist Chris Laurence and drummer Tony Levin.
Three tunes by trumpeter Kenny Wheeler (also a Globe Unity veteran) open the record. Dudek's airy yet precise phrasing seems ideally suited to Wheeler's compositional style, particularly the winding, aching melody of "Phrase Three" and the mournful "Ma Bel".
Though the influence of late John Coltrane made itself felt in Dudek's freer playing, here it's an earlier Coltrane, still steeped in Lester Young and Sonny Rollins, that filters through. Dudek marries Coltrane's full, emotive tone with the weightless grace of Wayne Shorter; his unaccompanied solo on ye olde tenor player's chestnut "Body and Soul" is a tour de force; he then locks horn(s) with Levin's polyrhythmic assault to provide the albums most fiery moments. The tricky bop pileups of George Coleman's "By George" is an ideal vehicle for some nimble, gently oblique tenor, while Jimmy Rowles's "The Peacocks" features the leader's sweet toned soprano, plus a finely articulated guitar solo from John Paricelli.
Paricelli's delayed, swelling chords recall early Bill Frisell, though his soloing eschews quirky fusion stylings for a sparkling, vibrant melodicism. The much undersung Laurence is one of the UK's great bassists; whether with bow in hand or with fingers, he propels, comment and suggests throughout,yet is as unobtrusive as the ground you walk on. His solo on "Ma Bel" is a thoughtful, melodic jewel, which is a pretty good way to sum up the whole album. Much credit goes to Evan Parker and Emanem boss Martin Davidson for putting this one out.More please...

Gerd Dudek - Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Chris Laurence - Bass
Tony Levin - Drums
John Parricelli - Guitar