UPC: 4988031450246
Format: CD
Release Date: Oct 29, 2021
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Pete La Roca brought a special brand of swing to the work of Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and Jackie McLean. After several years as a cab driver, La Roca earned his law degree, re-emerging now and again in the late 1980's with pianist Mal Waldron, and as the leader of a provocative ensemble.
Mixing Afro-Cuban and jazz inflections in his ride cymbal beat, La Roca keeps a steady brushfire of cross-rhythms going on his snare drum, as his bass-drum accents force the action forward with stunning counter-punches--a rhythmic style which suggests Elvin Jones.
La Roca's 1965 session BASRA is a far-reaching recital that showcases his skills as a soloist, accompanist and arranger. Pianist Kuhn lends his uniquely lyrical, rhythmic perspective to the ensemble, and bassist Steve Swallow is rock-steady; but it is the fireworks between Joe Henderson and La Roca that makes BASRA such a special event. "Malaguena" illustrates the drummer's epic power, as his tempestuous, simmering rhythms inspire Henderson to a wailing flamencan testimony, while the saxophonist employs flute-like effects to impart a haunting vision of "Lazy Afternoon." On the straight-ahead material (La Roca's moody "Tears Come From Heaven" and Swallow's vivacious "Eiderdown"), La Roca displays a luminous swing beat, yet his dancing groove tune "Candu" is a witty blues. It all comes together on La Roca's raga-ish "Basra": Swallow and Kuhn create a hypnotic backdrop, which allows the drummer and Henderson to engage in a fervent dialogue, culminating in some of the most musical drum choruses in the history of jazz.
Mixing Afro-Cuban and jazz inflections in his ride cymbal beat, La Roca keeps a steady brushfire of cross-rhythms going on his snare drum, as his bass-drum accents force the action forward with stunning counter-punches--a rhythmic style which suggests Elvin Jones.
La Roca's 1965 session BASRA is a far-reaching recital that showcases his skills as a soloist, accompanist and arranger. Pianist Kuhn lends his uniquely lyrical, rhythmic perspective to the ensemble, and bassist Steve Swallow is rock-steady; but it is the fireworks between Joe Henderson and La Roca that makes BASRA such a special event. "Malaguena" illustrates the drummer's epic power, as his tempestuous, simmering rhythms inspire Henderson to a wailing flamencan testimony, while the saxophonist employs flute-like effects to impart a haunting vision of "Lazy Afternoon." On the straight-ahead material (La Roca's moody "Tears Come From Heaven" and Swallow's vivacious "Eiderdown"), La Roca displays a luminous swing beat, yet his dancing groove tune "Candu" is a witty blues. It all comes together on La Roca's raga-ish "Basra": Swallow and Kuhn create a hypnotic backdrop, which allows the drummer and Henderson to engage in a fervent dialogue, culminating in some of the most musical drum choruses in the history of jazz.