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Tony Kofi – 'Future Passed'

Specific Jazz SPEC 004

Tony Kofi, saxes;
Anders Olinder, b3 Hammond organ;
Robert Fordjour, drums;
Byron Wallen, trumpet;
Cameron Pierre, guitar;
Donald Gamble, percussion.
Recorded January 2005

Tony Kofi’s new project and second album features a collection of twelve of his original compositions written for the Hammond organ. There has to be a connection between his once playing with organist Lonnie Smith and his currently being intrigued by the instrument’s potential, along with his imaginative assimilation of the idiom of jazz- funk music. The Hammond here delivers with consummate skill at the fingers of Anders Olinder. Each track represents a different jazz age and fashion and the project sets out to reinforce some of the classical elements in jazz: fresh growth from past experience, hard-driving swing, passion and skill, both at group and individual levels.

Tony’s own playing and his leadership are powerfully articulate and create the perfect foil for the whole of the band, but most especially I think for Byron Wallen’s heavenly trumpet. Sax and trumpet weave palimpsest upon palimpsest of musical texture and diversity, demonstrating the worth of their long-working affiliation. Right through the album there is harmony, no matter which combination we are hearing and all is offset against the understated patronage from the rhythm section, effortlessly driven by the consistency of Robert Fordjour’s drumming.

Tony’s range of compositions demand all of that and the eclectic mix of music with roots in be-bop and blues, funk, gospel, jazz, Latin and all kinds of music and rhythms lead us on a realistic ramble through much of jazz history, still more encouragement for today’s new audiences to hear and to appreciate the music’s raison d’être.

This is a thoroughly inspirational album and one that no respectable collection should be without. Clear the shelves!

Reviewed by
ken cheetham
June 2006