James Gelfand Group Time Zones
(Disques Silence)
Reviewed by Jeffrey Stoub

In the liner notes for his latest release, Time Zones, James Gelfand has much to say about time. He explains that each of his nine compositions on this disc dabble in different time signatures: One tune, From Here to Confusion, uses 7/8 and 9/8 often at the same time, while Classic Slave Dance runs through all the time signatures from 1/8 to 10/8.

Fortunately, Gelfand's rhythmic experimentation doesn't get in the way of these tunes. Gelfand himself reminds us not to get caught up in meter: "Don't count, just listen." Even without really counting along, you'll definitely pick up the intricate rhythms on tunes like Eleven Steps to Heaven and Passing Zone where guitarist Jerry de Villiers Jr., saxophonist André Leroux and bassist Norman Lachapelle weave sophisticated lines into their playing.

The playing is tight on this disc, if not always innovative. Although Time Zones got a Juno nomination this year for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, much of the playing, as well as some of the melodies, seems to be a throwback to not exactly contemporary fusion groups like Weather Report.

Gelfand's composing talents shine on Inside Outside Suite, a three-part work that features an appearance by Jean Paquin on French horn. There is a musical depth here more common to classical music than contemporary jazz, especially in the structure and harmonies of the pieces. But all that is somewhat overshadowed by a lot of guitar and drum work (Magella Cormier) that definitely leans toward the rock roots of fusion- wailing anthems and distortion.

What's missing here is the piano. Gelfand has demonstrated his abilities as a jazz pianist on recent discs (see below), but here he seems relegated to some basic comping and keeping the melodies moving along.

On the final tune, Second Thought, Gelfand's playing finally comes out in an unaccompanied "late night improvisation [with] no time signature" (his words). It seems more likely that he just sat down at the piano and made it up. It really doesn't fit with this disc, which is probably not for the straight-ahead crowd, but otherwise has just enough little subtleties and fresh turns to keep you listening.

Other recent discs led by or featuring James Gelfand...

Setting the Standard (Unidisc Music) 1996 -With Michel Donato

Tricycle (Lost Chart) 1995 -With Helmut Lipsky, violin, and Michel Donato, bass

Children's Standards (Amplitude) 1992

Plus de: Time Zones; James Gelfand