The New Dynamic Chico Hamilton Quintet - 1962 - Drumfusion

The New Dynamic Chico Hamilton Quintet

1962

Drumfusion

01. One For Joan

02. Freedom Traveler (Part I - Prayer)

03. Freedom Traveler (Part II - Journey)

04. Tales

05. Homeward

06. A Rose For Booker

07. Transfusion

Bass – Albert Stinson

Drums – Chico Hamilton

Guitar – Gabor Szabo

Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Charles Lloyd

Trombone – Garnett Brown

This is an LP long overdue to be reissued on CD. In 1960, Charles Lloyd succeeded Eric Dolphy in the Chico Hamilton Quintet, a cool jazz group famous for its use of a cello. However, since Nate Gershman (unlike his predecessor Fred Katz) did not improvise, the group was much more limited than its predecessors. By 1962, with the urging of Lloyd, Hamilton had completely revamped the personnel, having a quintet that replaced the cello with trombonist Garnett Brown and also included guitarist Gabor Szabo and bassist Albert Stinson. Drumfusion was the new band's debut and it is a strong effort, featuring group originals and exciting solos from Lloyd (on tenor and flute), Szabo, and Brown. The music is melodic at times but not boppish, free in spots but not avant-garde. This is a continually infectious and inspiring band, one that deserves to have all of its records reissued.

Drumfusion is an evolutionary leap for Chico Hamilton's Jazz music. It so different than his fourth quintet. I don't know what to compare it to. Any time I think of something to compare the music to, it's music that hadn't been released yet. If you're familiar with older Chico Hamilton recordings, it's as though Chico was inspired by Charles Mingus' ability to give musicians the freedom to have fun and be rowdy on an album like Blues & Roots, all while maintaining a structure.

Apparently the cellist in his previous quintet couldn't solo and that may have held back the group. This new quintet replaces the cello with trombonist Garnett Brown. You might think "Trombone? Womp, womp." but you'd be wrong. The dude's got serious chops. It's not at all surprising that he's had an extensive career as a sideman. The way that bassist Albert Stinson sets the pace for "Homeward" rocks. And what can you say about guitarist Gabor freakin' Szabo!? God, he's the man. He's so original.

The subtle but massive difference between this album and the ones that came immediately before it is that Charles Lloyd doubles on the flute and tenor saxophone, not the alto saxophone. That really brings Chico's music up to date, in the 1960s. Alto saxophone started become old hat in the 1960s.

The solos throughout the album are exciting. The drumming is awesome as usual. The bass is sharp. The compositions are unique and adventurous. No wonder Impulse Records scooped up Chico Hamilton after this.

Searing work from Chico's hip quintet of the early 60s – much more forceful than his 50s sides for Pacific Jazz, with a burning, full-on style that really puts the horns upfront! The group features tenor and flute by a young Charles Lloyd, great guitar by Gabor Szabo, and trombone by Garnett Brown – plus complicated rhythms from Chico on drums and Albert Stinson on bass – still managing to make things swing, and letting the whole session come off with a full-on, almost soulful/spiritual feel. Not as "out" as some of the Impulse work, not as wispy as his Reprise album, and with a much more pronounced swing than some of his other Columbia sides!