Something Else - Jeremy Steig

Jan

3

Something Else - Jeremy Steig

≡ Category: 1970s, Fusion, Jazz Rock, Reviews, Worth A Listen |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

WORTH A LISTEN

Rating:

When I came across Something Else in the used record bins, it was irresistable to me: I had never heard of flautist Jeremy Steig, but I most definitely was familiar with the work of keyboardist Jan Hammer, bassists Gene Perla and Eddie Gomez, and percussionist Don Alias.

Jan Hammer and Gene Perla had played together on the essential On The Mountain date, on which drummer Elvin Jones was nominally the headliner. Don Alias has seemingly performed with just about everyone and for good reason — he was one of the very tastiest and energetic percussionists to ever hit the skins. Eddie Gomez is a wizardly technician on the bass and is at home in almost any style, from atonal free jazz to blues to swing.

So, my expectations were already high. Then I found out that Something Else was from Jeremy Steig’s Energy sessions recorded in 1971. I had hit the motherlode! Around this time, Jan Hammer was associated with both the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Elvin Jones, and was at his absolute peak as a player.

But there was a fly in the ointment — Jeremy Steig himself. Steig sounds like he’s imitating Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, complete with the tonguing and singing. But that’s not the worst part. Steig seldom deviates from using blues scales and since he’s the leader, this discourages Jan Hammer from going too far afield in his harmonies. Worst of all, Steig wrote all the compositions and pretty much all of them are simple vamps with a minimum of harmonic and melodic raw materials to improvise on. Bo-ring!

Jan Hammer does what he can. The most interesting moments are when he chops up the grooves or dances around the key center. Unfortunately, Hammer is a team player. His function is to support the leader, so he restrains himself. Even so, he completely blows away Jeremy Steig in his solos.

As you would expect, the rhythm section kicks ass, but there’s only so much they can do with such simple material.

I was conflicted about whether to give Something Else two stars or two and a half. Here’s the thing: there are not that many opportunities to hear Jan Hammer in his peak years, and even knowing what I know now, I would still pick up Something Else. For those who are not Jan Hammer fanatics, don’t bother.