Hal Galper - How Near This (1977)

Tracklist

1. Now Hear This
2. Shadow Waltz
3. Red Eye Special
4. First Song in the Day
5. Mr. Fixit
6. Bemsha Swing
7. First Song in the Day

personnel :

Terumasa Hino - trumpet
Hal Galper - piano
Cecil McBee - bass
Tony Williams - drums

Hal Galper has long been an underrated composer and pianist. This Enja release from 1977 finds him at the top of his game in both roles, leading a strong quartet with trumpeter Terumasa Hino, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Tony Williams. Opening with his thunderous, inventive post-bop vehicle "Now Hear This," each musician adds something special to this driving piece (which also benefits from an in-tune piano, something not provided to Galper for a rendition heard on the live LP Speak with a Single Voice). The first track sets such high expectations that one would expect a letdown, but that isn't the case. Galper quickly cools things down with "Shadow Waltz," a lush ballad. In addition to his superb originals, Galper offers a jaunty take of Thelonious Monk's "Bemsha Swing."