Name: Horizon Reassembled
Brand: Palmetto
SKU: 946524
Price: 93.7 USD
Availability: InStock

Performer Notes

Personnel: Bobby Watson (alto saxophone); Bobby Ray Watson (alto saxophone); Essiet Essiet (double bass); Terell Stafford (trumpet, flugelhorn); Edward Simon (piano); Victor Lewis (drums).
Liner Note Author: Bobby Ray Watson.
Recording information: Maggie's Farm, Buck's County, PA (01/25/2004/01/26/2004).
For his second Palmetto Records release, saxophonist Bobby Watson reassembles his 1990 hard bop quintet known as Horizon. On Horizon Reassembled the quintet that fans referred to as "the happy band" revisit their commitment to the music and to themselves on such great songs as "Pere," "Xangongo," "Eeeyyess," and "Horizon Reassembled." The set opens with "Lemoncello," a hard bop gem that allows each soloist lots of room to express his ideas and themes. On "Pere," pianist Edward Simon sets up a tapestry of sound on his original contribution, by rolling his chords rhythmically instead of using the typical, punctuated style of comping. He also offers one of the best solos on the set through his blazing piano talk on the title track. Bassist Essiet Essiet brings his African roots to "Xangongo." His exciting world music basslines provide a solid foundation for the fast-paced horn and piano solos. Bobby Watson's alto saxophone playing is more mature and extremely expressive. He pays more attention to subtlety and dynamics than with previous incarnations of Horizon. His intense phrasings on "Eeeyyess" and "Ginger Bread Boy" provide the perfect foil for Terell Stafford's clarion top notes. Drummer Victor Lewis is also in great form with his great cymbal choices. Overall, Horizon Reassembled is entertaining and packed with great jazz moments. However, this reunion offers more significant concepts and improvisations than on their previous releases. ~ Paula Edelstein

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (p.78) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[A]n album that is both evocatively familiar and stunningly unexpected."

JazzTimes (p.128) - "At his best here, Watson percolates melodic improvisation...Pianist Simon's Latin leanings and impressive soloing are vital to the success of this superb collection."

Album: Horizon Reassembled
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Lemoncello
2)	Pere
3)	Love We Had Yesterday, The
4)	Ginger Bread Boy
5)	Horizon Reassembled
6)	Look of Love, The
7)	Eeeyyess
8)	Permanoon
9)	Dark Days
10)	Dark Days (Interlude)
11)	Xangongo

Album: Horizon Reassembled
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Lemoncello
2)	Pere
3)	Love We Had Yesterday, The
4)	Ginger Bread Boy
5)	Horizon Reassembled
6)	Look of Love, The
7)	Eeeyyess
8)	Permanoon
9)	Dark Days
10)	Dark Days (Interlude)
11)	Xangongo