Shifting Gears
Well known among jazz fans as a sideman to the likes of Joe Henderson and Freddie Hubbard, Michael Formanek was also part of the New York downtown scene and a stable of players who recorded with the Mesa/Bluemoon/Enja group in the late 1980′s and early 1990′s.
This one, from 1990, includes labelmate Wayne Krantz on guitar and downtown-sound star Greg Osby on sax. It’s a 15-cut soundscape that bassist Formanek and his crew take from the open and airy mood of the title cut through the :35 solo closer Open Door. In between, they get funky (Yahoo Justice) and a little silly (Coffe Time) and just about everything in between.
I discovered this record when I was doing a jazz show for Q-One-Oh-Whatever-It-Was in the early 90′s. Hard to believe its been that long.
Michael Formanek – Wide Open Spaces
Michael Formanek – Yahoo Justice
Excellent bass player, seen him a couple of times with uri caine, not in a fussion modeat all
I’ve fallen behind on my blogrounds and I’m trying to get caught up . . . Man, what a series of posts! Great stuff. (I was glad to see you mention Tift Merritt as one of the new generation; she’s a fave of mine!)