CATALYST — Catalyst (review)

CATALYST — Catalyst album cover Album · 1972 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Sean Trane
Although Catalyst is generally remembered as a fairly stable quartet, it was not really the case with their debut album. They were mostly a trio at the time with Rhodesman Eddie Green, drummer Sherman Ferguson and wind player Odeon Pope, and whoever was around on bass, which included Alphonso Johnson, Anthony Jackson or Ron Baker. Musically, the band was a typical product of its time.

Opening on the light-hearted but short Ain’t It The Truth, the albums plunges in the thick of things with the 8-mins East, which delves in depth of the Vitous-era Weather Report, and the Mwandishi soundscapes, including Pope’s deep oboe that is reminiscent of Bennie Maupin’s bass transcendental foundations that made such impact on Mwandishi’s music. The 8-mins+ Catalyst Is Coming is somewhat more upbeat (and jazzier), with Pope saxing around and Jackson’s pedestrian contrabass (including a solo), but Green ever-present Rhodes keeps a fusion touch. Flipping the disc, you’ll return to the same kind of ambiance in Jabali (percussionist Billy Hart’s nickname). New-found Truths features loads of Rhodes, and the closing Salaam features loads of slow flute.

Although not nearly as well-known as Mahavishnu, Weather Report, Mwandishi or RTF (all direct descendants of Miles’ Bitches sessions) Catalyst’s debut album is just as good as their counterpart’s debut, but this band recorded their around two years after, which does not make them groundbreakers. Nevertheless, if you love early 70’s JR/F, you should have no problems appreciating this band’s four albums.
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