CD review of Luther François’ “Castries Underground”

Castries Underground: Caribbean jazz at its best

By John Stevenson

NB.: The bolded words are exclusively those of the Collective’s editor

Luther François' "Castries Underground" CD poster

Caribbean jazz fans have been patient. Very patient.

Despite notable work with the West Indies Jazz Band, and his collaborations with Guadeloupean and Martiniquan musicians – including his involvement with Fal Frett – the region’s very own ‘saxophone colossus’ has taken nearly 20 years (since the ground breaking “Morne Dudon”) to deliver the goods with a solo effort.

With “Castries Underground”, however, Luther François has offered up a highly compelling and satisfying platter.

Recorded in the Helen of the West Indies (St. Lucia) on the imprint of his brand new company, LRF Soundworks, the premier St. Lucian instrumentalist shares tenor saxophone duties with American music academic Dr. William E. Smith, and is aided and abetted by Vincentian keyboardist Frankie McIntosh, Trinidadian drummer Sean Thomas, Guadeloupean percussionist Charly Chomereau–Lamotte, and American acoustic bassist Corcoran Holt.

Together, they carry us on a tour d’horizon of rich jazz improvisation, refracted through the prism of uniquely West Indian rhythms. Commentary on some of the compositions on this CD can be found below.

From the gently loping biguine gait of the short opening piece, (simply entitled “Opening”) to the Afro-Latin strains of “Charly’s Groove”, and on to the dramatic tension-and-release/call-and-response aspects of the CD’s title track, there is little doubt that François has produced something of a masterpiece.

“When I Think of You”, is dedicated to the memory of the late Barbadian jazz pianist Adrian Clarke. It is a slow-to-medium Latin waltz on which François‘s tenor phrases tumble out rhapsodically, like a Derek Walcott poem, punctuated by Frankie’s block chords and Charly’s dependable congas. W.E.S. Smith’s instrumental presence on accompanying tenor saxophone is assuring as it is heartfelt.

This reviewer is normally wary of the cacophonous muddiness to be found in some small-group line-ups featuring two saxophones. On this occasion, however, the Smith-François pairing can only be described as inspired. Indeed, they tower over the proceedings like the twin Pitons, bringing a wealth of harmonic and technical acumen to a rather unique live session.

Luther sheds some light on the recording in the liner notes:

“This live recording is the first in a line of audiovisual products to be released by the  company, and it captures the undaunted spirit of adventure and creativity which lies at the heart of this project. I want above all to acknowledge the understanding and cooperation of the musicians as well as their wonderful skills. Some notes on Frankie’s keyboard were not working and the bass provided for Corcoran was not that easy to get around. In addition, the music was being discovered and explored during the session. The conditions of recording were difficult to say the least and yet in spite of all this the spirit of collaboration was excellent. We completed the recording in two days with an appreciative and enthusiastic live public invited on the second night on a couple of selections. Marc Escavis, the sound engineer, did a great job from start to finish. The result is what I would describe as an outpouring of soulful interplay between consenting musicians.”

Luther François at launch of his new CD 'Castries Underground'

Indeed, Frankie’s piano work on this CD is always imaginative. What’s more, it’s never ostentatious. His natural affinities for the calypso, biguine and Afro-Latin rhythms have been honed through several decades as the Caribbean region’s premier Soca/Kaiso arranger. It is evident for all to hear.

The very captivating up-tempo, calypso-inflected waltz, “Little Trane” features Luther’s spirited flute playing. The tune was written for Luther’s son and features a touching Dave Brubeck-like solo from McIntosh, and an even more probing pizzicato bass spot from Corcoran Holt.

“Yes We Can” is a raging swing number that makes you want to shake your shoes off and head for the dance floor. The two tenors go head to head egged on by Sean Thomas’s mellifluous cymbal rides and Charly’s piquant percussion. We are also left in no doubt as to the person Luther François wishes to reside in Washington DC’s Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Helen” is a classic calypso-jazz vehicle of the kind popularised by jazz pianist-composer Clive Zanda. The piece carries a terrific swagger that conjures up memories of ‘chipping’ in Port of Spain on J’ouvert Morning during the Trinidad carnival.

“My Heart’s Desire” is perhaps the most post-bop influenced piece on the CD. Luther echoes John Coltrane’s “Cousin Mary.” There’s also a skillful drum solo spot from Sean Thomas.

The title track, the CD’s piece de resistance, weighs in at nearly fifteen minutes long and contains some of the most beguiling and creative musicianship to be found on any Caribbean jazz recording. Conjuring up memories of Miles Davis, the tune draws loosely on the chord structure of Eddie Harris’s Freedom Jazz Dance. The call-and-response/tension-and-release aspects of the way the composition unfolds gives it a highly dramatic quality. Luther’s muscular soloing on this boundary-pushing tune (neither “in” nor “out”) confirms him as arguably one of the world’s important tenor saxophone titans. The solos offered up by both Frankie McIntosh and Corcoran Holt on this tune are similarly outstanding.

Castries Underground is a greatly-appreciated addition to the ongoing exploration of Caribbean musical culture as expressed through the jazz aesthetic. Through this work, Luther François has successfully instilled pride in all of us.

Luther! Luther! Luther!

(Track listing for Castries Underground: Opening; When I Think of You; Charly’s Groove; Little Trane; Yes We Can; Interlude; Eric’s Theme; Helen; My Heart’s Desire; Castries Underground; Ending)

John Stevenson is a London-based Bajan free-lance writer and broadcaster.

Previous Post: New Luther François CD set for release