Marc Johnson – Bass

Another track from what was, for me, a really important album. It introduced me to pianist Kenny Werner and drummer Bill Stewart as well as reminding me what Marc Johnson and John Abercrombie were capable of (Abercrombie is great on this record, edgier than he often was in his own bands). This track is all over the place and a challenging read due to the tempo but it is the head that makes it for me. The solo is fairly free, if I am hearing it correctly – I can’t find any conventional harmonies in there although, due to Johnson’s choice to not play ‘time’ in the conventional sense, I could be wrong.

The tune is called ‘Street Talk’ and is another cut from the 1991 Joe Lovano album, ‘Landmarks’.