egroj world: Duke Jordan • Flight To Denmark

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Duke Jordan • Flight To Denmark

Review by Michael G. Nastos
Upon Duke Jordan's initial visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, followed by his decision to make the move as an expatriate permanent, he was tempted to stay by playing with some extraordinary Scandinavian rhythm sections. Bassist Mads Vinding, one of many skilled Danish jazz bassists, is here on the date performing in fine style. Drummer Ed Thigpen, who left the U.S. to take up permanent residence in Europe, was an even bigger influence in making Jordan's decision a good one, and is an equally skillful musical partner on this date. This is an expanded edition from the previous original issue on the Steeplechase label; a Japanese import with several alternate takes. It's an understated session for the most part, equal parts melancholy and hopeful, as one might expect with the trepidation of leaving home for new, unknown horizons to be discovered in a foreign land. The upbeat songs, as the modal, popping, tom-tom driven "No Problem" (from the movie soundtrack Les Liason Dangereuses) and the famous bop flag-waver "Jordu," bookend the CD. The bulk of the recording showcases the softer side of Jordan, with takes of the somber ballad "Here's That Rainy Day," the slightly brighter "Everything Happens to Me," and two versions of the polite waltz "Glad I Met Pat," dedicated to a nine-year-old girl Jordan knew in New York City prior to her being kidnapped. The pianist employs chiming piano chords for "How Deep Is the Ocean?," is lighthearted in his slight interpretation of the well worn "On Green Dolphin Street," does two takes on the light, bluesy swinger "If I Did, Would You?," and ramps up to midtempo the bluesy original "Flight to Denmark," reflective of the insecurity and consequential optimism that followed his leaving the States. This is Duke Jordan at his most magnificent, with the ever-able Vinding and expert Thigpen playing their professional roles perfectly, producing perhaps the second best effort (next to Flight to Jordan from 13 years hence) from the famed bop pianist.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/flight-to-denmark-mw0000725952

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Reseña de Michael G. Nastos
Tras la visita inicial del Duque Jordán a Copenhague (Dinamarca), seguida de su decisión de hacer el traslado como expatriado permanente, estuvo tentado de quedarse jugando con algunas secciones rítmicas escandinavas extraordinarias. El bajista Mads Vinding, uno de los muchos y hábiles bajistas de jazz daneses, está aquí en la cita tocando con gran estilo. El baterista Ed Thigpen, que dejó los EE.UU. para establecer su residencia permanente en Europa, fue una influencia aún mayor para que la decisión de Jordania fuera buena, y es un compañero musical igualmente hábil en esta cita. Esta es una edición ampliada de la anterior edición original de la etiqueta Steeplechase; una importación japonesa con varias tomas alternativas. Es una sesión discreta en su mayor parte, a partes iguales melancólica y esperanzada, como cabría esperar con la trepidación de dejar el hogar para descubrir nuevos y desconocidos horizontes en una tierra extranjera. Las canciones alegres, como la modal, pop, tom-tom impulsada "No Problem" (de la banda sonora de la película Les Liason Dangereuses) y el famoso bop flag-waver "Jordu", sostienen el CD. El grueso de la grabación muestra el lado más suave de Jordan, con tomas de la balada sombría "Here's That Rainy Day", la ligeramente más brillante "Everything Happens to Me", y dos versiones del cortés vals "Glad I Met Pat", dedicado a una niña de nueve años que Jordan conoció en la ciudad de Nueva York antes de ser secuestrada. El pianista emplea los acordes de piano para "How Deep Is the Ocean?", es ligero en su ligera interpretación de la gastada "On Green Dolphin Street", hace dos tomas del ligero y azulado swing "If I Did, Would You?", y sube a mitad del tiempo el original azulado "Flight to Denmark", que refleja la inseguridad y el consiguiente optimismo que siguió a su salida de los Estados Unidos. Este es el Duque Jordan en su momento más magnífico, con el siempre capaz Vinding y el experto Thigpen desempeñando sus papeles profesionales perfectamente, produciendo quizás el segundo mejor esfuerzo (después de "Flight to Jordan" de 13 años en adelante) del famoso pianista de bop.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/flight-to-denmark-mw0000725952

Tracks::
1 - No Problem - 6:44
2 - Here's That Rainy Day - 7:21
3 - Everything Happens To Me - 5:41
4 - Glad I Met Pat (Take 3) - 5:03
5 - Glad I Met Pat (Take 4) - 5:26
6 - How Deep Is The Ocean? - 7:24
7 - Green Dolphin Street - 8:21
8 - If I Did - Would You? (Take 1) - 3:42
9 - If I Did - Would You? (Take 2) - 3:50
10 - Flight To Denmark - 5:46
11 - No Problem - 7:09
12 - Jordu - 4:54

Credits:
    Bass – Mads Vinding
    Design – Per Grunnet
    Drums – Ed Thigpen
    Liner Notes – Roland Baggenæs
    Photography By – Jørgen Bo
    Piano – Duke Jordan
    Producer – Nils Winther
    Recorded By – Ole Hansen

Notes:
Recorded at "Sound Track", Copenhagen, November 25 & December 2, 1973.

Label: SteepleChase ‎– SCCD 31011
Format: CD, Album
Genre: Jazz