SLAMCD294 Jim Dvorak, Paul Dunmall, Mark Sanders & Chris Mapp – Cherry Pickin’

Quartet album led by trumpeter/vocalist Jim Dvorak and featuring free jazz saxophonist Paul Dunmall, bassist Chris Mapp and drummer Mark Sanders.

Jim Dvorak and Paul Dunmall were two of the earliest SLAM Productions recording artists after the label was founded in 1989; Mark Sanders has also appeared on several previous SLAM releases, notably with Elton Dean, Nick Evans and of course Paul Dunmall. Bassist Chris Mapp is heard on the label for the first time on this recording.

The music, with the exception of “As Above, So Below”, was written by Dvorak whose composition style reflects the influence of Charles Mingus. Interesting that one of Dvorak’s early SLAM releases was his duo with Charles’ son, Eric Mingus.

The two horns show a synergy that comes from the years of association and mutual respect; Dvorak’s vocals add the drama.

Jim Dvorak: trumpet, voice
Paul Dunmall: tenor saxophone, saxello
Chris Mapp: bass
Mark Sanders: drums

“Love’s Own Prayer is a thoughtful and almost serene piece with Dumall and Dvorak thoughtful over bowed bass and percussive comments. Miller’s Tail gives the rhythm team full rein and they fit together like hand and glove in a boiling sea for the horns to sail over…While the composed pieces have some structure, there is still a marvellous freedom about them and this prepares the listener perfectly for that final four-way improv: As Above, So Below. In many ways it’s the highlight of the album, the musicians working together in an uncanny four-way telepathy. The tension and yet restraint of the opening, later on hearing the trumpet go real, real low and some jaw-dropping fast runs from Dunmall are just three of many joys along the way.” – Peter Bacon, The Jazz Breakfast

“Given the players on this CD, and the label it is on, I was expecting some free blowing, which does come in the last track, which is almost half the length of the CD. But the first six tracks feature compositions by Dvorak with structured improvisation. Once I adjusted to what I was hearing, I really liked the music. We have four seasoned players, working extremely well together. The interplay between Dvorak and Dunmall is great and Sanders and Mapp provide excellent support. It is clear that these musicians know how to listen to each other… A very enjoyable CD which features great playing and interesting compositions.” – Bernie Koenig, Cadence Magazine

“American-born trumpeter Jim Dvorak has been a notable contributor to the UK scene since the 1970s, but hasn’t exactly been prolifically recorded. He’s best known as a free player, and this welcome quartet CD presents a kind of free jazz supergroup, with the majestic Paul Dunmall on reeds, effortlessly fluid Mark Sanders on drums and the bustling energy of Chris Mapp on bass. The set concludes with a 20-minute collective improvisation, with all four players responding to one another with the lightning reflexes and lightness of touch you might expect.” – Jon Turney

“Seven magnificent, Mingusesque tracks – Dvorak’s distinct compositional voice blended with intense, impassioned improvisation. Mapp and Sanders make for a powerful, highly dynamic section, and there’s tremendous interplay between trumpet and sax, twirling around one another in a horn double helix, for instance, on the Chaucer-channelling ‘Millers Tail’…the disc as a whole is superb.” – Jazzwise

“As good a quartet record as you’ll hear all year. Dvorak’s significantly underrated, perhaps because he moves so easily – too easily? – between jazz and free, perhaps because he has a Trickster’s ability to hide his most profound thoughts behind japes… The trumpeter has a tight but nicely fat tone that’s like no other around at the moment… Dunmall’s playing great these days, positively magisterial but with the puckish, almost narrative delivery still intact, Sanders is world class and Mapp is more than merely reliable; he’s the real article and a man to watch, his role here more than simply holding the centre.” – Brian Morton Jazz Journal

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