Fred Ho And The Green Monster Big Band
Year Of The Tiger
Naxos USA
www.bigredmedia.inc.com

Graham Reynolds And The Golden Arm Trio
Duke! Three Portraits Of Ellington
Innova Records
www.innova.mu
By George W. Harris

Here are a couple of records that, if nothing else, prove that artists are still looking for fresh ideas for established compositions.

To baritone Saxist/Leader/arranger Fred Ho, nothing musical is off limits. He’s put out a bunch of discs that cover material ranging from “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vda” to ambitious original suites. Here, he continues his iconoclastic quest with exciting and over the top versions of “The Johnny Quest Theme” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” that will make your head spin in bewildering joy. There’s also a medley of Michael Jackson tunes featuring some exciting female vocalists, while the six part “Take The Zen Train” Suite is a roller coaster ride that mix Stan Kenton’s extroversion with Duke Ellington’s sophistication. Never a dull moment here!

As for the Ellington Tribute by composer/arranger/pianist Graham Reynolds, you just have to ask yourself, “Why?” The disc is divided into three parts; the first is comprised of 7 (mostly) Ellington tunes delivered in a Sam Butera meets Jerry Lee Lewis no holds barred boogie brawl. Wait! I think I heard the kitchen sink on “Cottontail!” Next come a set of “String Abstractions” of the same tunes which actually work fairly well. The two part take of “Caravan” is worth a few listening. So why, then, does the disc then go into a “Remix” mode and have jarring rhythm machines overpower “The Bear,” “Echoes Of Harlem” and “Heaven” by the likes of DJ Spooky and Butcher Bear. I understand that this disc is part of a show, but I’m just wondering who attended it. I’d love to interview those 3 people.