Hamiet Bluiett & Concept Live at Carlos 1
(Just a Memory Records)
Reviewed by Dan Noseworthy

Admittedly, I do not know much about Hamiet Bluiett and his music. My familiarity with him is mostly through the World Saxophone Quartet. I admire his work with that group and so eagerly volunteered to review this recording.

This collection of three originals and two standards is basically a blowing session, which is not surprising, given the context- a week-long club date (at Carlos 1 in New York City in August 1986) with a quintet of musicians called together for the gig.

Musically, I felt that the inclusion of African percussion did not really add to, and at times took away from, what was happening. Not to denigrate Chief Bey, but this is not the best context for his creativity. Sometimes inviting non-jazz musicians on jazz sessions sounds more gimmicky than musical, and this is the case here. Of course, if we don’t try things we will never know if they work, or how to make them work. Nice try, but no cookie.

Maybe it’s because I’m partial to trio music these days, but for my tastes the musicians who really stick out as having attained the feeling of a unit are the rhythm section of pianist Don Pullen, bassist Fred Hopkins and drummer Idris Muhammad. This CD is worth getting just for the trio sections. However, the rest of the recording I could take or leave. Hamiet has his moments but, overall, his playing here is more of interest to die-hard fans.

Sorry Hamiet, but if I want to hear a saxophonist blow their wad with a pickup band, I will go hear them live in a club. I would have loved to have been at the Carlos 1, but my expectations for a CD are higher in terms of concept.

Dan Noseworthy is a guitarist and composer. Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, he moved to Montreal, Quebec in 1985.