Andrew Hill Dusk CD

Known for his adventurous leanings in his younger years, pianist Andrew Hill continues to compose challenging music in the later part of his career. Though the material hearkens to the time of his groundbreaking POINT OF DEPARTURE, it is with more burnished colors that Hill paints irregular abstractions on this session. Several New York post-bop veterans, including multi-reedists Marty Ehrlich and Greg Tardy, join Hill on this release.

The opening title track is a meandering piece that sets the tone for the disc with its free-flowing pulse that slowly builds in intensity underneath creative horn passages. Later, "Ball Square" presents a fiery Hill whipping up some Monk-ish lines while drummer Billy Drummond keeps the cauldron brewing with some very intense solo work. A high point is Hill's rare solo spot "Tough Love," which finds the pianist in a somewhat reflective mood. Another stellar sextet piece is the wickedly exciting "15/8," easily one of the pianists most raucous works. Finally, Hill returns with another solo venture, the incredibly brief "Focus."

Recorded on September 15 and October 27, 1999. Includes liner notes by Howard Mandel.

Personnel: Andrew Hill (piano); Greg Tardy (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Marty Ehrlich (alto saxophone); Ron Horton (trumpet); Billy Drummond (drums).

Liner Note Author: Howard Mandel.

Recording information: Maggie's Farm, Buck's County, PA (09/15/1999/10/??/1999).

Personnel: Andrew Hill (piano); Marty Ehrlich (alto saxophone); Greg Tardy (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet); Ron Horton (trumpet); Scott Colley (bass); Billy Drummond (drums).

Q (10/00, p.119) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A sparkling, playful tumble....making thorough use of the trumpet-and-two-reeds frontline..."
The Wire (6/00, pp.50-1) - "...Evidence that [he] is still much in his prime. The success of the album is largely due to the quality of the group he has assembled....Hill's long-delayed return marks an important new point of departure in his career."
Down Beat (7/00, pp.69,72) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Snippets of melody slide past like fragments of a half-remembered dream, thin block chords create odd punctuation, and compositions resolve unexpectedly but perfectly. Welcome to Andrew Hill's world - always an interesting place to visit."