Rashied Ali & Arthur Rhames - The Dynamic Duo (Remember Trane And Bird) (2 CD, 1981/FLAC)

For some, Interstellar Space was the end of John Coltrane—and for others, just the beginning. As many people dislike Rashied Ali for being Trane's last drummer as like him for that same reason. Indisputable though is that Interstellar Space began the examination of new possibilities for the duet format, apart from the typical piano/bass example. Ali continued to explore this arrangement after the death of his mentor on albums like Duo Exchange with late saxophonist Frank Lowe and in his current duo with altoist Sonny Fortune (in residency at Sweet Rhythm this month). Ayler Records, continuing a spate of exciting archival live albums, has released another chapter in Ali's saxophone duet history, this time as a double disc set with, sadly, another late player, tenor Arthur Rhames.

The performance was recorded in 1981 at the Willisau Jazz Festival. Given Rhames' relative obscurity, the first disc begins with Rashied Ali narrating liner notes over a 17-minute exposition by himself and Rhames. The rest of the set consists of material by Coltrane including "Mr. PC," "Giant Steps," "Impressions" and even a brief reading of most of A Love Supreme (all interesting choices as they all predate Ali joining Coltrane's group). The Eckstine standard "I Want to Talk About You," Miles' "Tune Up" and four pieces ostensibly improvised by Rhames and Ali are thrown in for good measure.

 
 Recorded live at Willisau Jazz Festival, Switzerland, on August 29, 1981. 

• Rashied Ali - dr, vo
• Arthur Rhames - ts, p

CD1 

01. Introduction By Rashied Ali

02. Mr. PC

03. I Want To Talk About You

04. Giant Steps/Impressions/Tune Up

05. Extra, Extra - Read All About It (1)

CD2 

01. Giant Steps / Lazy Bird / Moments Notice

02. Extra, Extra - Read All About It (2)

03. Acknowledgement

04. Resolution

05. Pursuance

06. Homage Charlie Parker - Medley

07. The Work Of The Master