Friday, December 16, 2005

Pelt's Identity

Jeremy Pelt's "Identity," Maxjazz, is a logical extension of Miles Davis' second classic group with Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Tony Williams and Herbie Hancock, Pelt in the Miles role and Frank LoCrasto as Herbie. It makes me think of "In a Silent Way," a passion of mine, in particular.

But there's more. LoCrastro plays the B-3, Fender Rhodes and synthesizers. Pelt has more range than Davis on trumpet and uses the flugelhorn and electronica as well. Myron Walden sticks to soprano sax and also plays some bass clarinet. They add vibes and guitar at times. So, in effect, it's Miles in the '60s meets Miles in the '70s and '80s.

Thing is, it probably works better than some of Davis' fusion stuff, which I personally think is a lot better than many people give it credit for, but then young lion Pelt has the advantage of a couple decades or three of experimentation by various jazz musicians to get it just right and I think he largely does. Modern jazz, yet still rooted in in the music's tradition, that bears close listening.

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