The Fully Celebrated is a pared down, trio version of
the Fully Celebrated Orchestra, dedicated to the style of
Ornette Coleman in that alto saxophonist
Jim Hobbs is clearly influenced by
Coleman,
Eric Dolphy,
Arthur Blythe, and the like.
Hobbs has achieved his own personal sound, a leaner, trimmed, and fat free voice that has plenty of room to roam freely while keeping within a framework of funky beats, no time, and occasionally off-kilter or angular expressions that can now identify him as an individualist. If the title or cover art draws suggested religious, renaissance, or pirate derived motifs, they are somewhat humorous and ironic reference points, for the music is unabashedly modern, progressive, and bold without being scarred or sanguine. The contemporary side mixed with improvisation holds forth from the opener,
"Moose and Grizzly Bear's Ville," to the faster
"Reptoid Alliance," or the lithe, head nodding, danceable, stand-out piece
"Enemy of Both Sides" as the anxious, rambling mind of
Hobbs is identified by his frequently doled out squawky accents and punctuations. Changing tempos at will during
"Conotocarius," the trio traverses easily from fractured nuances to funky dance moves, free flying glide and mass chaos. The title track has a ritual motif in a two-beat frame that is at times overblown, inebriated to some extent, centered by the plopping drum flams of
Django Carranza. Bassist
Timo Shanko sports a style similar to the soulful and folkish refrains of
Charlie Haden on his introductory solo of
"Pearl's Blues/Your What Hurts?," a walking motion suggesting it's your swollen feets that feel discomfort via the strained alto of
Hobbs. Soulful ruminations identify
"Brothers of the Heliopolis" with a patient solo from
Shanko, while
"Dew of May" is a mourning in the morning, circadian cycle developed piece, a slow riser to a light jog with subtle kineticism, and car driving music to get one through a spring day. Spare music yet fully formed, this talented trio provides interesting sounds all listeners of creative improvised music should thoroughly enjoy. ~ Michael G. Nastos
