Caleb Wheeler Curtis: The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery/ Raise Four – Monk the Minimalist

IMANI RECORDS 0029 (RECORD JANUARY & APRIL 2024)

“Interesting.” That’s the word I typically heard from professors about my term papers.
I would ask them what they meant by “interesting,” and they would respond — “It’s not good and it’s not bad, it’s simply interesting.” That’s how I feel about the new release from saxophonist/trumpet player Caleb Wheeler Curtis. The title is certainly interesting — The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery/Raise Four-Monk the Minimalist. The idea of two-CD set, one of original material (with the exception of Arthur Blythe’s “Odessa”) and the other featuring nine Monk tunes is interesting. The fact that Curtis uses two different rhythm sections (bassist Sean Conly and drummer Michael Sarin on the Bear set and bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Falkner on the Monk set is interesting. Overdubbing his array of horns — stritch, sopranino sax, tenor and trumpet — is also an interesting concept. Curtis uses this technique on most of the Bear set. Tunes such as “The First Question” and “This Cult Does Not Help” have the feel of Ornette Coleman’s original quartet, with Curtis playing the parts of Coleman and Don Cherry. The more pastoral “Empire” has a “Conference of the Birds” vibe with Curtis overdubbing the voices of both birds. Curtis turns the overdubbing switch off for a plaintive solo sax rendition on “Odessa” and a compelling trumpet feature on “Miedo.” The Monk CD is simpler in approach with Curtis unfolding Monk’s quirky melodies while Revis keeps a solid beat, allowing Faulkner to explore the rhythmic fun of Monk tunes. “Oska T,” “Introspection” and “Boo Boo’s Birthday” are perfect examples of this approach. While most tunes feature Curtis’ explosive and expressive sax playing, he delivers a heartfelt trumpet solo on “Reflections.” After listening to both CDs, The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery/Raise Four-Monk the Minimalist is not good or bad, it’s simply interesting, and sometimes that’s enough!

BOTTOM LINE: Caleb Wheeler Curtis draws from his diverse range of influences including progressive bop and post-Coltrane/Coleman free improvisation to deliver two distinctly different CDs in one package — The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery/Raise Four-Monk the Minimalist. The Bears set relies on Curtis overdubbing various horns while the Monk set relies on his expressive and explosive sax and trumpet playing in an intimate trio setting.