This 1973 release is finally getting it’s day in the sun. Today he’s known as Todd Cochran, but back when Nixon was president the pianist went by the name of Bayete’, and put out an album a hip reflection of the times the times, mixing contemporary jazz, soul, funk and what was then called “social consciousness.” The personnel on the album includes heavyweights like Wayne Wallace/tb, Oscar Brashear/tp-fh and Bobby Hutcherson/vib-mar and a lithe rhythm and horn team. The session varies between post bop such as “ It Ain’t” and “Njeri” which has Cochran’s piano giving a nod to McCoy Tyner and Don Pullen, with flighty flute work by Hadley Caliman adding exotic textures. The other aspect is a funky environment, complete with wah-wahs, electric keyboards and vocal chanting on “Free Angela” (as in Davis-this WAS the 70s, after all) and “I’m On It.” Musically sound, but a bit dated in the message. A blistering solo by Brashear on the bonus track “Phoebe” makes the track as good as anything Freddie H ubbard was doing at the time, while a nice bass line on “Eurus” supports the fragrant reeds. Look for this surprisingly good session-it holds well after all these years.
Omnivore Recordings