CHARLIE HADEN — Not in Our Name (Liberation Music Orchestra) (review)

CHARLIE HADEN — Not in Our Name (Liberation Music Orchestra) album cover Album · 2005 · Progressive Big Band Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
snobb
One more album of Charlie Haden's leftist progressive big band Liberation Music Orchestra's incarnation. The only other constant band's member is Carla Bley, but besides of Charlie Haden (at his almost 70!) it is more than enough to re-fresh and re-build same atmosphere they started in late 60s.

For sure, there is a big difference in world around - if some revolutionary hymns and Che were if not seriously attractive, but at least fashionable elements of the year 1969 (when Liberation Music Orchestra's debut was released), same aesthetics look a bit odd in 2005. But - as in case with Englishman Robert Wyatt - Charlie Haden doesn't look as aggressive brutal singer of the Socialist revolution (I am not sure if Mao,Stalin and Colombian revolutionary drug-dealers/partisans are his source of inspiration till now), possibly it's more correct to think about part of his generation romantic fantasies about ideas and world order, which never existed and will (happily) never exist, but is so attractive when you're dreaming about it...

Music is beautiful on this album though. Soulful reworks of Amazing Grace, America The Beautiful and even ska-version of Metheny/Bowie "This Is Not America" all sound great. All the album is quite unusual release for nowadays jazz- with it's mix of New Orleans brass sound, avant-garde dissonance and melodic (almost pop-songs like) compositions in the key of Italian movies from 50s.

Carla Bley's piano work there is very tasteful and gives excellent arrangement to mostly brassy sound on the front of the compositions. Haden himself is more director and good arranger, then soloist - his bass is noticeable only in some moments, but always - warm and full of nuances.

Music on this release is difficult to classify, but obviously it represents eclectic mix of old and new jazz tradition, melted in one modern sound. Accessible and interesting listening with many smart layers under the skin.
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