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Frank Basile / Sam Dillon Quintet: 2 Part Solution

By Jack Bowers
August 30, 2020
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Frank Basile / Sam Dillon Quintet: 2 Part Solution

If recent albums serve as an accurate guidepost, hard bop is making a broad and most welcome comeback. In the wake of high-octane albums by

Adam Shulman

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Shulman, Gary Dudzienski,

Cory Weeds

saxophone, alto
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Cory Weeds (who doubles as producer-in-chief at Cellar Records),

Marshal Herridge

bass
b.1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Marshal Herridge, the TNEK Jazz Quintet,

Jerry Bergonzi

saxophone, tenor
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerry Bergonzi,

Keith Oxman

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Oxman,

John Sneider

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">John Sneider and others comes 2 Part Solution, an old-school fire-breathing session whose front line consists of tenor saxophonist

Sam Dillon

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Dillon and baritone saxophonist

Frank Basile

saxophone, baritone
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Basile.

Any doubts about their purpose are quickly erased on the impetuous opener,

John Lewis

piano
1920 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">John Lewis and

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie's classic "Two Bass Hit," on which Dillon and Basile dig their heels in and wail like there is no tomorrow. Dillon's sharp and sinuous phrases call to mind such titans as

Hank Mobley

saxophone, tenor
1930 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Mobley,

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson and

George Coleman

saxophone, tenor
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">George Coleman (who wrote "Lo Joe" and "5/4 Thing"), while Basile is the latest in a line of nimble-fingered baritone masters that dates back to

Pepper Adams

saxophone, baritone
1930 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Pepper Adams,

Cecil Payne

saxophone, baritone
1922 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Payne and

Nick Brignola

saxophone, baritone
1936 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Nick Brignola and is exemplified today by

Gary Smulyan

saxophone, baritone
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Smulyan and

Ronnie Cuber

saxophone
1941 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Ronnie Cuber. As for the rhythm section, pianist

Jeb Patton

piano
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeb Patton isn't too far removed from

Bobby Timmons

piano
1935 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Timmons,

Red Garland

piano
1923 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Red Garland,

Wynton Kelly

piano
1931 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Kelly and their ilk, while drummer

Aaron Kimmel

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Kimmel must have readied himself by listening closely to the bop licks of

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey and

Max Roach

drums
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Max Roach, among others. Bassist

Mike Karn

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Karn, a sure and steady companion, rounds out the quintet.

As if to prove they are capable of imparting more than fire and brimstone, "Two Bass Hit" is followed by the free-and-easy "Love Letters" (on which Karn adds an expressive solo voice) before the pace quickens again on Basile's breezy "Cardiff Giant" and the helical "Lo Joe."

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones' earnest ballad, "Kids Are Pretty People," precedes another swinger,

Luiz Bonfa

guitar, acoustic
1922 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Luiz Bonfa's bustling "Samba de Orfeu," and Dillon's well-grooved "Two Part Solution." Coleman's minor-key "5/4 Thing" leads to the well-chosen finale,

Slide Hampton

trombone
1932 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Slide Hampton's decorous "Frame for the Blues."

Aside from the admirable teamwork and splendid choice of material, what sets 2 Part Solution apart from and above comparable enterprises are the superlative solos, especially by Dillon and Basile who proudly uphold the torch of hard bop whose flame hasn't slackened since it was lit nearly eighty years ago by Bird, Diz,

Bud Powell

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bud Powell,

Kenny Clarke

drums
1914 - 1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Clarke and a host of their resourceful contemporaries. If hard bop is here to stay, that's a resurgence that should give rise to enthusiasm and applause. And should Basile, Dillon and Co. choose to help further that cause, more power to them.

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Track Listing

Two Bass Hit; Love Letters; The Cardiff Giant; Lo Joe; Kids Are Pretty People; Samba de Orfeu; Two Part Solution; 54 Thing; Frame For The Blues.

Personnel

Frank Basile

saxophone, baritone

Sam Dillon

saxophone, tenor

Jeb Patton

piano

Mike Karn

bass

Aaron Kimmel

drums

Album information

Title: 2 Part Solution | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Cellar Live

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