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Paul Dunmall — Red Hot Ice
(Discus Music 186, 2024, CD / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2024-12-12

Red Hot Ice Cover art

It was about a year ago when this writer was diligently listening to Dunmall’s sextet release Bright Light A Joyous Celebration, preparing to write a review. Since that time we have heard him on his collaborative effort with Laura Jurd, or more specifically a merging of his quartet with Jurd’s quintet titled Fanfares and Freedom. Now we have Red Hot Ice, a smoking nonet working their free jazz mojo on Dunmall’s extended compositions plus a few shorter pieces as well. The group this time out consists of the rhythm section of James Owston (double bass) and Jim Bashford (drum kit), along with Andrew Woodhead (Rhodes, organ, synthesizer), Glen Leach (acoustic piano, organ, voice), and electric guitarist James Birkett. The horn section led by Dunmall (soprano and tenor saxes) also features Alicia Gardener-Trejo on baritone sax, Percy Pursglove on trumpet, and Richard Foote on trombone. In addition Martin Archer is credited with additional saxes, electronics, bells, chimes, and handclaps, along with Julie Archer (handclaps) and Corey Mwamba (Probhet 5 programming, tambourone, handclaps). The two centerpieces of the set include the 21-minute title track that wanders through a number of distinct sections that cover everything from gentle pastoral piano pieces with vocal improvisation, edgy composed jazz sorties featuring brilliant ensemble work from the entire horn section, plus solo spots for all as well, and plenty of free wailing along the way; it’s a stupendously awesome endeavor from the beginning to the end, where they jump into what seems like a cover of Hendrix’ “Foxey Lady,” though they get right back into jazz mode before getting carried away with that. “Say Hi to Your Evil / Get Comfortable” is the other sidelong piece, beginning its life with a bass solo before the horns jump in and bring all the players together for the remainder of the long journey, including a cool guitar solo around the eleven minute mark. The set opener is “Prepare for Peace,” a powerful indroduction to all the players, at times tight and well fused, at other times chaotic and free. “Dearly Departed” closes the set with a gentle touch as well as some powerful horn solos. One can listen to Red Hot Ice from beginning to end over and over, and hear something new on every pass — it never gets old.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Paul Dunmall

More info
http://discusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/red-hot-ice-186cd-2024

 

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