Reviews that mention Odean Pope
June 23, 2021
Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album
Omnivore Recordings OVCD-411
Evidence keeps mounting that Thelonious Monk was less of an outlier as pianist/ composer than is generally thought. Since most Jazz history rests on the Great Man theory there was only space for one quirky stylist in those categories until Cecil Taylor arrived. Monk was eventually accepted into the Jazz Pantheon. Yet careful study reveals others 1950s/1960s pianists as idiosyncratically skilled as the New Yorker, but vastly under-recorded. They include Boston’s Lowell Davidson Harlem’s Herbie Nichols and Philadelphia’s Hasaan Ibn Ali (1931-1980). Known for one 1964 trio LP with Max Roach, the recently unearthed Metaphysics doubles Ali’s discography and confirms he didn’t need Roach to impress. Instead the Ali compositions feature tenor saxophonist Odean Pope, a long-time member of Roach’s bands, bassist Art Davis, who worked with just about everyone at the time and journeyman drummer Kalil Madi MORE
November 30, 2011
Universal Sounds
Porter Records PRCD 4053
Marshall Allen/KonstruKt
Vibrations of the Day
KonstruKt Re048
At 87 years of age, alto saxophonist, flutist and Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) player Marshall Allen appears to be busier than ever. One would think that the wiry reedist who ascended to the leadership of the Sun Ra Arkestra shortly after Ra’s planet leaving in 1993 would have his hands full shepherding that rambunctious aggregation. Yet he’s obviously free enough – in both senses of the word – to lend his talents to such notable projects as these CDs. MORE
April 23, 2009
Plant Life
Porter Records PRCD-4017
Charles Gayle Trio
Forgiveness
NotTwo MW 805-2
Superficially similar, each of these dates is lead by a veteran American saxophonist on either side of 70, adds the contributions of a bassist and a drummer, and consists of a program of mostly originals plus a different famous composition by John Coltrane. Although neither reaches the top rank, certain cohesive warmth and looseness in performance makes alto saxophonist Charles Gayle’s Forgiveness more enticing than tenor saxophonist Odean Pope’s Plant Life. MORE
April 23, 2009
Forgiveness
NotTwo MW 805-2
Odean Pope
Plant Life
Porter Records PRCD-4017
Superficially similar, each of these dates is lead by a veteran American saxophonist on either side of 70, adds the contributions of a bassist and a drummer, and consists of a program of mostly originals plus a different famous composition by John Coltrane. Although neither reaches the top rank, certain cohesive warmth and looseness in performance makes alto saxophonist Charles Gayle’s Forgiveness more enticing than tenor saxophonist Odean Pope’s Plant Life. MORE