"Firebirds" is essential modern jazz. This album should be mentioned in the same breath as modern jazz classics like Andrew Hill's "Point of Departure," Bobby Hutcherson's "Dialogue," and Eric Dolphy's "Out to Lunch." Prince Lasha and Sonny Simmons have appeared together on record before -- Jimmy Garrison/Elvin Jones' "Illumination," and Eric Dolphy's "Conversations" and "Iron Man" -- and they are one of the dynamic duos of the 60s avant-garde. Any fan of the outward thinking jazz of the 60s will be remiss at not buying this album sooner.
Altoists Sonny Simmons and Prince Lasha are not household names, even in the world of 60s avant-garde jazz. But Firebirds is without a doubt one of the classics of the genre, forgotten and ignored because it wasn't recorded for Blue Note or Impulse.
The one bona-fide superstar on Firebirds is vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, whose playing here is terrific and especially loopy. Drummer Charles Moffett (best known for his work with Ornette Coleman's trio) is like a percussive trampoline and Buster Williams rounds out the group with his strong basslines.
But Simmons and Lasha are the ones who steal the show; their playing is melodic and joyous, alternating solos with animated dialogues. The music reminds me a little of Ornette's Golden Circle trio, but the playing is generally more "inside" and the vibes give it an Out-to-Lunchish flavor. "Psalms of Solomon" is especially amazing -- Moffett sets up a percolating groove with Lasha on flute and Simmons on English horn, but over 11 minutes it gets increasingly frantic and intense. "The Island Song" is very catchy, and on "Prelude to Bird" the two leaders pay tribute to Mr. Parker. The wild title track lives up to its name and may scare some hard bop fans, though it's quite tame compared to what Coltrane and Cecil Taylor were doing at the time.
Beyond the details of the music itself, these guys are unashamedly speaking their piece, succeeding marvelously. You won't hear any bs from Lasha and Simmons- these are two guys that speak through their horns, subsequently going far beyond the music. There is a deeper abstract truth in their artistic sensibility, (not to mention tons of soul.)Dig the below poem by Sonny Simmons, Traveler.
"TRAVELER"
Nomadic WAS he, wandering
pour that secret place
moving and rowing
with a heart full of the miseries
of life. feeling that music
within moi. Never stop ---
reaching into the le unknown
realm of many unseen --
mysteries Le vast unfathomable
distance of Eternity.
Firebirds is highly recommended for any fan of freebop and the more melodic side of avant-garde jazz. It's also a lot of fun to listen to.
And since it's a limited edition, you'll be kicking yourself if you don't get it.
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