denis charles IV-tet
captain of the deep
mte-09

1 january 1991 holland

denis charles drums
jemeel moondoc alto saxophone
nathan breedlove trumpet
wilbert dejoode bass

1. we don't (14:04)
2. mota (13:37)
3. round about (15:38)
4. jamaj's (9:40)
5. rob (13:55)
6. tobie continyou (6:05)

at last, a new recording under the leadership of the legendary Denis Charles. Beautifully swinging, upfull, and rambunctious.

"Captain is an imposing live set led by the late drummer Charles (he died the day this was released). With a resume that included time with Steve Lacy and Cecil Taylor, Charles was firmly ensconced in the restless beauty of the free jazz world, and that sort of passion and joy overflows here. His group draws its sound from Albert Ayler and early Ornette Coleman, with stirring folkish themes that turn into blazing marathon solos. Its all-encompassing exuberance draws funeral wails, blues, African rhythms and down-the-line bebop into one roaring vortex. This band includes veteran avant-gardist Jemeel Moondoc on alto and Nathan Breedlove, now with the Skatalites, on trumpet. Their music is consisently powerful but controlled. They are both careful never to go so far out that they leave the other musicians behind or destroy the fabric of the melody. They are uplifting both on the crazed, martial air of 'We Don't' and the bluesy improvisations of 'Round About.' Add Wilbert DeJoode's deep-souled bass and Charles powerful drumming and you have an amazing, hot-blooded session with the best features of modern jazz. It sounds both ancient and up to the minute at the same time."-- jerome wilson, option

jazziz magazine critics picks top ten recordings 1998.
cadence magazine reviewers' choice best recording 1998.

"arguably the best album of 1998." green mt. jazz messenger