Three Voices Searching in Open Air
Recorded over two days in April 1970, this is Chick Corea's trio stretching beyond bop into free territory.
The Song of Singing was recorded over two days in April 1970 with a trio of Chick Corea on piano, Dave Holland on bass, and Barry Altschul on drums. The three were fresh from their work in the free jazz ensemble Circle, which had its own shifting lineup, and this session stripped the music down to just piano, bass, and drums with no horns. Anthony Braxton, who was part of Circle, is absent here, so the record has a tighter, more conversational feel than the group's larger efforts.
The approach is open-ended without being chaotic. Corea plays with a lot of harmonic curiosity, and Holland and Altschul respond quickly, pushing and pulling the time rather than simply holding it. Listeners who know Corea mainly from his later fusion work with Return to Forever may be surprised by how loose and searching this is. It is not a relaxed record, but it is a fun one to follow, especially if you enjoy hearing a rhythm section think out loud.
As a place to start with Corea, this is not the obvious choice. It sits closer to the avant-garde end of his Blue Note years and suits listeners already comfortable with free playing. If you want a more accessible entry point, begin elsewhere and come to this one once you want to hear him take more risks. Critics have been generous: The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings gave it four stars out of four, and that recommendation holds up for committed listeners.
Who's playing
Where next?
More by Chick Corea
Crystal Silence 1973
Romantic Warrior 1976
The Chick Corea Acoustic Band 1989
The Chick Corea Elektric Band 1986
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
