Artist: Roberto Bellatalla Quartet
Title: Borrowed Time
Cat Number: SLAMCD239
Year released: 2000
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 5028386023920
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Originally released in 2000, this quartet album led by Italian bassist Roberto Bellatalla features a killer band that includes saxophonist Jason Yarde, trumpeter Claude Deppa and drummer Brian Abrahams. They perform eight originals by the leader that mix free and contemporary jazz with a strong South African influence.
Roberto Bellatalla: double bass
Claude Deppa: tumpet, flugelhorn
Jason Yarde: alto and soprano saxophone
Brian Abrahams: drums
“Roberto’s quartet captures that wonderful South African free yet funky spirit in all of its glory. Like the Blue Notes blended with Ornette’s early 60’s quartet on speed. These cats are super-tight and sailing high from the first note! On a few of these songs, they bring it down to a melancholy simmer, like “Just Being”, which recalls Ornette’s classic “Lonely Woman”. Sad, poignant and lovely. Bellatalla’s heartfelt acoustic bass is often at the centre of each piece, this man has real soulfulness in his hands. Fans of Chris McGregor and the Brotherhood of Breath should love this.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
“Bellatella has stuck to the assertive and vibrant sounds of the Township jazz which were brought to the London scene by Chris MacGregor and Dudu Pukwana. Now that those two pioneers have died, this quartet could well become holders of the flame: Bellatella thoroughly inhabits the streetwise, folkish funk demanded by the genre. Newcomer Jason Yarde (from the Jazz Warriors) holds his own in some fiery, lyrical company. Sound is raw, but that suits the music.” – Hi-Fi News & Record Review