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Eric Harland: Voyager Live by Night

By Mark F. Turner
November 8, 2010
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The long wait for Eric Harland's debut release is understandable. One of modern jazz's most dynamic and in-demand drummers, he's been a little preoccupied: early stints with

Terence Blanchard

trumpet
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Terence Blanchard and

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis; high profile gigs with

Kurt Rosenwinkel

guitar
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Kurt Rosenwinkel,

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner, and The Monterey Quartet; and tenures with the

SFJAZZ Collective

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.2004

" data-original-title="" title="">SFJAZZ Collective and

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Lloyd's ensembles, are just a few of his many endeavors. Possessing consummate skills defined by superlative timing, propulsion, finesse and flexibility, it's no wonder it's taken him so long to release Voyager Live By Night.

About his exceptional band—recorded live in 2008, at two different venues in France—Harland reveals, "I really wanted to use these guys because of their creativity, 'Great Sense of Humor' and masterful ability on their instruments." He is joined by two former child prodigies—guitarist

Julian Lage

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Julian Lage and pianist

Julian Lage

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Julian Lage—as well as rising bassist

Harish Raghavan

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Harish Raghavan and fierce tenor saxophonist

Walter Smith III

saxophone, tenor
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Walter Smith III. With little time to rehearse before the concerts, the band's camaraderie and extremely tight bond is expressed via awe-striking performances

Harland's "Treachery" which opens the set, has appeared in live concerts by the MJQ and powerhouse Overtone Quartet, with whom the drummer has also played. Here, the piece sounds more vibrant, as Lage's colorful guitar adds a

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny-esque quality to the aggressive melody, followed by an arsenal of pyrotechnic solos, comps, and unison lines, from the other members. From the blistering feats of the opener to the serenity of "Intermezzo 1," the band is masterful, connecting the compositions like a narrative in an adventurous music travelogue.

A sense of exploration runs throughout the set—global rhythms, intense grooves, and emotive dialogues—a vivid imaging of Harland's itineraries and experiences. He can recall

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones's freedom, but can also conjure aboriginal patterns as evinced in "Voyager," where Lage lays down colorful African-influenced guitar phrases, as Smith stokes the fire with acrid soloing. This sets up one of the most memorable moments on the recording, "Intermezzo 2." At nearly eight minutes, Harland transforms his kit into a percussive firestorm of creative rhythms and textures both modern and primitive, and guttural vocalizations that are totally infectious. Propelled by the performance, the band segues into "Development" a raucous party that ends with enthusiastic crowd applause.

"Eclipse" offers a moment of respite, until Raghavan throws down a dark seductive bass line and Smith articulates a labyrinth statement. And if there's a question as to whether or not the band can swing, it's answered in spades with

Sam Rivers

saxophone, tenor
1923 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Rivers' "Cyclic Episode," as everyone pushes the tempo to the extreme with precision, fire and soul, and incredible synergy—in particular, Smith's muscular horn. Things end with Eigsti's four-part "Get Your Hopes Up" which is equally enlightening and challenging.

Finally, a personal document of one of the baddest drummers on the planet, it is well worth the wait.

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Track Listing

Treachery; Intermezzo 1; Turn Signal; Voyager; Intermezzo 2; Development; Eclipse; Intermezzo 3; Cyclic Episode; Get Your Hopes Up Part 1; Get Your Hopes Up Part 2; Get Your Hopes Up Part 3; Get Your Hopes Up Part 4.

Personnel

Eric Harland

drums

Eric Harland: drums; Walter Smith III: tenor saxophone; Julian Lage: guitars; Taylor Eigsti: piano; Harish Raghavan: bass.

Album information

Title: Voyager Live By Night | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Space Time Records

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