ALBUM REVIEWS

DON PULLEN

“Live . . . Again”

Blue Note

* * 3/4

There is something deeply human about the late Don Pullen’s piano playing. His appeal lies not in traditional technique, but in his soulful harmonies, his intensely rhythmic style and his avant garde, explosive passages. “Live . . . Again,” recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in July, 1993, before he received a diagnosis of lymphoma, captures the essence of this unique style and his exceptional live energy.

Throughout, Pullen’s mood is upbeat and relentless. Accompanied by the African Brazilian Connection--Panamanian-born Carlos Ward on alto saxophone, Brazilian bassist Nilson Matta, American drummer J.T. Lewis and Senegalese percussionist-vocalist Mor Thaim--he storms through the compositions. “Yebino Spring,” an African-inspired composition, is charged with his organic, relaxed lines and grandiose sweeps. “Capoeira,” brims with lilting Latin grooves and intensely percussive chords, on “Kele Mou Bana” he mixes sweet South African township harmonies with Cecil Taylor-like clusters. Exuberance abounds, but he also shows a more delicate, reflective side on “Ah George, We Hardly Knew Ya,” his tribute to the late George Adams.

This album suffers from a weaker sound quality than Pullen’s previous studio recording, “Kele Mou Bana,” which contains several compositions heard on “Live . . . Again.” It is, however, Pullen stretching out and in great spirits.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).