Family Affair Posted by independent j

Sunshine Star - Open Sky Unit Naima - Jacques Pelzer Quartet both from Duchesne Records 1974/75 and re-released on What Music's Trailer Happiness compilation in 2004. Jacques Pelzer was the key figure in the Belgian jazz scene for decades starting in the early 1970s. Pelzer was a saxophonist and group leader who worked in a lot of different styles from avant guarde to soul and funk. Some of his early work is very rare in its original form, but has been purchased and re-released in fine quality by What Music. Open Sky Unit was Pelzer funk/soul band, which showcased composed/keyboardist Ron Wilson pretty heavily. Wilson also provides vocals on Sunshine Star and while his singing is rough and very limited it adds a subtle bonus to a great instrumental track. Pelzer's horn work is very good, but the real revelation is the drumming Micheline Pelzer (Jacques's daughter) who keeps a deep groove going throughout and provides some excellent fills throughout. Wilson's keyboard work is pretty minimal, but haunts me just right and leaves me wanting more. Jacques and Micheline had an eponymous quartet that featured more of their straight jazz work and I put up their cover of John Coltrane's legendary tribute to his wife Naima. Again Micheline provides a rock-steady backbeat that punches up this cover way more than typical ballad renditions of Naima. Jacques switches from alto on Sunshine Star to a soprano sax to better pay homage to Coltrane, which is a daunting task, but Jacque acquits himself well. I don't know anything about the competent bass player, but the pianist on this cut steals the show with his beautiful solo and outstanding accompianment. The Pelzer's again keep it in the family because this painist is Michel Graillier, Micheline's husband. Both of these tracks are live recordings and thankfully follow the European audience style of not applauding until the end of the track, instead of after every solo like here in America. The solo applause annoys me to no end because it covers up the transitions and theme restatements and just burns me up. But then again people here in California clap at the end of films also, which is just a whole new level of retarded. OK, enough rant...enjoy the tracks.