JAZZ SPOTLIGHT

CHARLIE HADEN QUARTET WEST

“Always Say Goodbye”

Verve

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Bassist Haden’s unique approach to sampling earns an impressive workout here. Though the basic group comprises Haden, Alan Broadbent (piano), Ernie Watts (saxes) and Larance Marable (drums), there are guest appearances by a wild assortment of visitors.

The opening quote borrows a sample of Max Steiner’s music from “The Big Sleep,” the 1946 movie. Other visitors are Coleman Hawkins, whose quartet plays “My Love and I” from a 1962 album; Jo Stafford, the Ella Fitzgerald of pop, in a creamy 1944 reading of “Alone Together,” and Django Reinhardt with Stephane Grappelli in a 1949 taping of “Ou Es Tu, Mon Amour?” for which Grappelli adds to the confusion by also appearing live with Haden.

The entire Duke Ellington Orchestra is sampled for a cut from his 1959 “Anatomy of a Murder” movie score, with an admirable violin solo by Ray Nance. Chet Baker sings “Everything Happens to Me” with a 1955 French rhythm section. Finally we return to the “Big Sleep” track, with the last words spoken by Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

All these miscellanea are bonuses; the main course is the quartet itself, playing chiefly attractive originals by Haden or Broadbent. Among them: Broadbent’s stately “Avenue of the Stars” and “Sunset Afternoon,” Haden’s title tune and “Nice Eyes.” There are even bows to early be-bop with Bird’s “Relaxin’ at Camarillo” and Bud Powell’s “Celia.” All in all, an ingenious, surprise-rich package.

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