Back Together Again

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Total Tracks: 8   Total Length: 72:38

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Kevin Whitehead

eMusic Contributor

09.18.04
Teacher Anderson and student Drake push each other forward
2004 | Label: Thrill Jockey

Performers of different generations allied with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians have sometimes enjoyed family-like relationships, as teacher and student grow close. So it developed between tenor saxophonist Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake, 26 years his junior, who boarded with his mentor for awhile before becoming one of the most sought after percussionists in several fields. (Does any jazz drummer know more reggae beats?) Of the AACM's first generation, brawny-toned Anderson may be the most loyal to free jazz, a believer in the strongly expressed and authoritative improvised statement. Fred's a self-starter, famous for practicing on his own all day at the Velvet Lounge to get that celebrated sound. But he likes a forceful drummer to bounce off, a message Hamid received. For this 2004 duo session, Drake sets up all manner of trapset and frame drum grooves, propulsive not punishing. They're the waves Fred surfs.

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Leap Forward

Gigadance

From the River to the Ocean was a spectacular album. So assuming Back Together Again would be similarly great, I've been waiting for "Leap Forward" to be repaired. I was mistaken. Here is what eMusic has to say about it: "At this time, due to licensing restrictions the song "Leap Forward" from the album Back Together Again is not available on eMusic. The label has chosen not to make this track available for download. This could be due to licensing deals with other companies (such as commercials, movies, etc.) for that one particular song. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope it will become available in the near future. Thank you for choosing eMusic. Regards, Abbey eMusic Support."

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AACM

By Kevin Whitehead, eMusic Contributor

In 1965, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, trumpeter Philip Cohran, drummer Steve McCall and other like-minded Chicagoans banded together to form the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians: the now famed co-operative that would go on to spawn the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Anthony Braxton, Leroy Jenkins, Henry Threadgill, Nicole Mitchell and dozens more. Over four decades later, the AACM still thrives, with branches in Chicago and New York. AACM's founders mostly came from jazz, but… more »

They Say All Music Guide

Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake have been performing together for more than 30 years and have known each other even longer, but Back Together Again marks their first recording of duets. Anderson can spin endlessly creative melodic improvisations on tenor, and Hamid Drake is every bit his equal on the traps and frame drums. It should be no surprise that this set is amazing. Both men are at the top of their game. Anderson’s melodies sometimes go somewhere you’re not expecting, doing some wild interval leaps, but he always tells a coherent story. Drake’s drumming almost always has a strong melodic concept as well, but it is rhythm that drives this whole set and keeps the proceedings grounded throughout, where other improvisers may lose momentum. As is the case with Duets 2001, Anderson’s album of duets with Robert Barry, the sound is full, and you never miss the lack of other players. Much to the contrary, this is absolutely riveting stuff. In addition to this rather lengthy recording, listeners are treated to a bonus video disc that features footage of three of the tunes, as well as interview footage of Anderson and Drake discussing both how this recording came about and some thoughts on improvising. Fred Anderson was 75 at the time of this recording, and the footage of these interviews and performances will become more important with time. Kudos to Thrill Jockey (as well as Delmark and Okka Disk) for making the effort to get this longtime Chicago jazz legend the recognition he deserves. Recommended. – Sean Westergaard

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