This Against That

• Artist: Ralph Alessi
• Rating:
• Release Date: 2002
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Trumpeter Ralph Alessi convenes a quintet on this adventurous date, one of two concurrent releases on Ravi Coltrane's RKM label (the other being the duo disc Vice & Virtue). Joined by Don Byron on clarinet, David Gilmore on guitar, Drew Gress on bass, and Nasheet Waits on drums, Alessi displays an advanced and highly engaging approach to composition, marked by a relaxed use of space and a reliance on meticulous but natural-sounding unison rhythmic figures. The harmonic language is generally quite open-ended, although pianist Jason Moran's guest appearances lend a contrasting flavor. Julie Patton comes on board to recite text on the four-part "I Am a Cowboy in the Boat of Ra," based on a poem by Ishmael Reed. The disc closes with an easygoing reading of Duke Ellington's "Portrait of Mahalia Jackson" (here simply titled "Mahalia"), featuring a compelling statement from the Duke-savvy Moran. Highly recommended. ~ David R. Adler, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Oversoul, Pt.1	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(2:03)
Haw Hee	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(7:56)
Soy Ink	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(6:24)
Elaine	Tom Garvin	Ralph Alessi	(6:16)
Expectations	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(6:05)
Dialogue With the Mirror	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(1:34)
Telepathic Voyeur	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(6:08)
Angels	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(6:37)
Affect Images	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(6:30)
I Am a Cowboy in the Boat of Ra: Pt.1/Pt.2/Pt.3/Pt.4	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(2:45)
Mahalia	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(3:14)
[Untitled Track]	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(6:21)
[Untitled Track]	Ralph Alessi	Ralph Alessi	(1:54)
[Untitled Track]	Duke Ellington	Ralph Alessi	(6:49)

Credits

Bobo Fini (Engineer), Ravi Coltrane (Executive Producer), Nasheet Waits (Drums), Bobo Fini (Mixing), Don Byron (Clarinet), Jason Moran (Piano), Ralph Alessi (Trumpet), Ralph Alessi (Producer), David Gilmore (Guitar), Allan Tucker (Mastering), Drew Gress (Bass), Julie Patton (Poetry), Joseph Marciano (Mixing)

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