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Eric Hochberg and Andy Potter's World Thing

by Eric Hochberg and Andy Potter

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1.
Sun 06:03
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2.
Miss Black 10:09
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3.
World Thing 04:28
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4.
Mental Magenta Part 1 02:33
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5.
Art Blakey 03:15
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6.
Purplatonia 07:35
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7.
Mental Magenta Part 2 07:50
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about

“The more things change” say the French, “the more they stay the same,” an analysis that could comfortably apply to the recording circumstances of World Thing. For almost two years, the biggest event in New York jazz has been the influx of AACM stalwarts bearing the arcane torch of Great Black Music - with the apple press making goo-goo eyes almost at the mention of Chicago, the source for so much of the excitement. Yes, back at home Chicago’s other talented originals still find themselves forced into the recording, manufacturing and distribution of their own work because no one else is buying. And the hinterlands syndrome muddles on.

World Thing, for example was completed by Hochberg and Potter with an eye towards selling it to an established label for distribution, that failing, they undertook to issue it on their own. It comes off mainly as Hochberg’s project, since he composed all the material, and it features some of Chicago’s brightest young jazzmen, with a guest appearance from Hochberg’s college chum Alan Pasqua (of Tony Williams New Lifetime). It’s a somewhat spotty record, making one wish that its several virtues had been better focused and certainly better recorded throughout the disc. Nonethless, it provides its share or well-varied and imaginative experimentation, as well as a glimpse of saxist Steve Eisen and guitarist Ross Traut, both of whom need only a few years of musical maturity to fulfill their already considerable promise.

The two tracks featuring them both (Art Blakey and Purplatonia) work particularly well; the latter, an acoustic track, features Eisen’s languid, almost stagnant flute statement followed by a samba section in which Traut solos with sweeping, ECM-inspired romanticism. They both burn through the shards of bebop that inspired Blakey, Traut allowing his superb melodic sense to surface in the humorous slowdowns he folds into the mercurial tempo, nonetheless, he never strays from the tough-minded leanness that is already a trademark of his playing. Eisen is most formidable on the album’s two opening tracks and on the loping atmospheric Miss Black - a trio with Hochberg and the earthy, marvelous Potter that benefits from the bassist’s overdubbed and funky outre organ work - Eisen displays his meaty sound and stylish, if not always commanding ideas. This one’s a standout, and an excellent showcase for the confluence of genres - fusion, avant garde and jazz tradition via the late ‘60s - that informs all of this strong and supple music.

The various episodes of Mental Magenta use the twin pyrotechnics of pianists Tilmon and Pasqua to range from spacey electronics to a neat flirt with high-voltage drive; despite the few rough edges they hold their own with high-caliber musicality. The pulsar rhythmic drive, of course, is courtesy of the album’s producers, Potter a raw dynamo of often unique swing, joins drummers like Bob Moses and Jack DeJohnette as an unimitative angular presence. Hochberg who takes disappointingly little solo space, lends his flawless time and note choice to the proceedings. And his sturdy challenging tunes complete the personal triumph illustrated by his production efforts. If you’re interested in what else is going down in Chicago, World Thing is one smart place to get on.

Neil Tesser, Downbeat Magazine 3 Stars

credits

released July 1, 1976

Eric Hochberg Bass, Piano, Keyboards (World Thing, Miss Black)
Andy Potter Drums
Steve Eisen Reeds
Ross Traut Guitar
Alan Pasqua Keyboard
Eric Tilman Piano
Rick Lazar Drums (World Thing)
TJ Jones Guitar (World Thing)
Grace Davis Vocals (World Thing)

All Songs by Eric Hochberg World Thing by Eric Hochberg and Rick Lazar

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Eric Hochberg Chicago, Illinois

Eric Hochberg has been a first call bassist on the Chicago music scene for over forty years. His recorded work includes albums with Kurt Elling, Paul Wertico, Terry Callier, Howard Levy, Ken Nordine, Mark Colby, John Moulder, Larry Novak, and many others. He has lead the Eric Hochberg Trio nightly at Catch 35 Chicago for the past eight years until the pandemic struck but is now back in action! ... more

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