Skipper and Crew

Reviews:

"All God's Children" - Skipper and Crew

From LA Jazz Scene October 2005 - by Jim Santella

Bassist Henry Franklin continues to bring us the best in improvised jazz through his dedication to the tradition and spirit of the music. He leads with his big contrabass and blazes a trail for his musical partners to follow, unfettered by preconceived notions or nonmusical concerns. The sounds are all natural. Various percussion instruments and passionate voices, both instrumental and vocal, surround each piece with deeply heartfelt emotion. Like Charles Mingus, Franklin leads from the bass and successfully drives his ensemble to fruition through a release that settles in naturally. With him on this highly recommended session are drummer Carl Burnett, pianist Theo Saunders, alto saxophonist Zane Musa, tenor saxaphonist Michael Session, guitarist Mark Waggoner, and veteran percussionist Big Black on big-sounding African drums. Franklin opens the door and lets his ensemble explore, both as a whole and through individual expression. Musa wails unmercifully on "The Illusion," taking his alto to the pinnacle of passion. Saunders and Session follow suit with powerfully driven musical episodes. Guitarist Wagonner soars with spiritual anxiety on "Follow Your Bliss," allowing the song's lyrical message to flow and settle in comfortably. Franklin supplies a lovely bass feature on "Unattachment," which he easily couples with Wagonner's soothing instrumental voice and the song's searing spoken word message. "Tongues United" brings a collage of musical expression to the forum with everyone jamming on a spontaneous riff that leads the ensemble to anxious appeals. You have to love the piece's open combination of free jazz with superb musical perspicacity. Together, Franklin and his Crew create another of the year's ten best jazz albums, with both his Three Card Molly and All God's Children CDs running neck and neck in a tie for first place.

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