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Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson with Valery Ponomarev PANORAMA. Imaginary Records 010; Released 1998.
By John Barrett Jr.
The last two SS&F records were strictly trios; while the group enjoys exploring their dynamics, this time they wanted more. Jeff Siegel says "we also enjoy mixing it up with other players particularly horn players"; Tim Ferguson wanted "a special person able to contribute to it without disrupting its delicate balance." That person was one-time Jazz Messenger Valery Ponomarev, who brought his talent and his three horns. The trio's intimate interplay (they played togerther nine years) is there as always, but the new voice changes how the others react, and it changes the flavor of the disc. Don't worry it's still delicious. The piano charges strong on Siegel's "Magical Spaces", a blues in 6/8. While Stevens riffs loud, the theme by Valery is soft it seems that he is comping for Stevens! Valery's solo is bolder, and tied close to the theme. Stevens hits the strong chords, sounding even more like Tyner than he did at the top. Valery wails high, and then falls down the stairs in a great series of tumbles. Stevens' solo is strong, with much of the mood from his opening riff. Siegel's work is full, with plenty or cymbals appropriately, he sounds like Elvin Jones. Ferguson is more in the sideman role than on the trio dates; he is felt as a force, but is not a dominant musical presence. Ferguson takes a funk turn on Ornette's "Lonely Woman"; Stevens is sparse and bitter, in keeping with the airy sound. As this is Ornette, Valery picks up the pocket trumpet; his tone is full, and more assertive than the opener. Stevens starts his solo quiet, then builds a pattern which keeps getting faster. The other instruments are silenced as Stevens keeps moving, up to the Cecil Taylor level. Then he stops, and all is quiet taps and the occasional pluck. Valery solos without the piano; now Siegel goes wild, and when Stevens returns, it adds depth to the sound. A little more fury, and it returns to the mood it came in on. "Julie's Tabouleh" opens on a carnival atmosphere, with a sunny theme; the opening is "Airegin", and the chords are close to "Indiana". Ferguson gets his first solo, a fancy thing with active fingers. Valery is a joy; he dances while the cymbals urge him on. Stevens is bluesy, slamming the keys to major effect. Siegel's solo reminds me of Cozy Cole's on "Topsy", and the carnival returns. The trumpet is one thing you notice; another is the quality of the original songs. Siegel's "Blue Heart" has a great feel that recalls the early 'Sixties. (Stevens, with a dash of Wynton Kelly, rules this number.) Ferguson's efforts are fun, especially the closer, "You Wait Here". A piano tune if there ever was one, Stevens runs wild, and Valery will not be ignored. He brings two tunes, and "For You Only" is wonderful. These are generally simple, tuneful frameworks for the players to stretch on. With this level of interplay, it's all they need. Valery reacts throughout: more than a "guest star", he does many things to meld with the group sound. On "dedication", he is mellow and busy, he wrings the vibrato on "For You Only", is brassy on "Blues for Elena", and mutes up a storm on "Angelica". His approach varies with the frequency of Stevens', which makes him perfect for the group. He really shines on his own "For You Only", a soft ballad with singing trumpet and a creeping bass solo. While Valery had known these guys before this, it's the first time he's recorded with the trio. You'll wish it came sooner. While some tracks are adventurous ("Magical Spaces", "Lonely Woman"), this is mostly straight-ahead swinging. Ponomarev is warm or hot as needed, Stevens impresses me as always, and the rapport is tremendous. It's a loving look at the trio, and how they react in new surroundings. As you might expect, very well indeed.
Rating: *** *. Recommended for "Magical Spaces", "Lonely Woman", "For You Only", "Blue Heart", and the delightful "Angelica". A familiar sound with surprising twists well worth hearing.
Songs: Magical Spaces; Lonely Woman; Julie's Tabouleh; Dedication; For You Only; Blue Heart; Con Alma; Memorial; Blues for Elena; Angelica; You Wait Here. Musicians: Michael Jefry Stevens (piano); Jeff "Siege" Siegel (drums); Tim Ferguson (bass); Valery Ponomarev (trumpet, pocket trumpet on "Lonely Woman", flugelhorn on "Memorial"). For more info, contact: townsend@imaginaryrecords.com
And then, there's this one from Finland, by Takaisin Alkuun:
Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson featuring Valery Ponomarev: Panorama
Imaginary Records IMX-010
Recorded 2nd Jan-21st March 1998 Brooklyn NY
Valery Ponomarev: trumpet, pocket-trumpet, flugelhorn
Michael Jeffry Stevens: piano
Tim Ferguson: bass
Jeff "Siege" Siegel: drums
The American pianist Michael Jeffry Stevens is a new face, yet the
searching of his background reveals that he has been around for quite a
while with both hands in several projects. Stevens has recorded a couple
of albums for Leo Records on his own, and with bassist Joe Fonda for Music
& Arts as the Fonda/Stevens Group. In the trio Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson he
has also made a pair of albums on the small Imaginary Records- label.
According to the catalog this label also produces experimental rock.
Stevens has collaborated with Dave Douglas, Mark Feldman and Gerry
Hemingway, among others.
So everything seems to point towards some sort of modern-day jazz. However
the special guest on this album is Valery Ponomarev. He emigrated from the
former USSR already in the 70's and got into one of the many
incarnations of Art Blakey's group Jazz Messengers. Since then Ponomarev
has continued his career from the basis of hard-bop. Therefor perhaps it
is the influence of Ponomarev's that turns this album to a quite an
ordinary jazz in soloist-accompanists vein. In this way it is easy to
create an entertaining evening to a jazzclub but harder to come up with an
interesting record.
"Panorama" starts in a strong and promising way. The first two pieces,
"Magical Spaces" and "Lonely Woman" by Siegel and Coleman respectively,
are the best on the album. Stevens plays emotional- in places free-form piano
solos on these pieces. But for some reason he seems to be happy with the
more common ways of expression later on. Ponomarev plays in the finest
tradition of hard-bop and the accompanying trio has been gelled into tight
form.
As a result we have a fine trumpet-oriented album that slightly fails to
fill the promises given on the first two tracks. However it raises the
interest into other projects by Stevens.
--translation by Markku Kaakkolammi.