One of my all-time favorite Chico Hamilton albums—and fittingly released in 1975, the year I was born—Peregrinations.
Issued in Japan under the title Rurō no Tabi (“A Wandering Journey”), the back cover shows Chico looking almost like a wanted criminal 😄.
Personally, whenever I think of this album, I’m reminded of Calm’s track “Quo Vadis,” where he sampled the title tune for the Blue Note 60th-anniversary compilation deejays coolcuts blue (’99), curated by leading Japanese creators. But leaving that aside—there are many kinds of journeys, and this album is full of them.
•A1 “V-O” and B2 “Little Lisa” were composed by bassist Steve Turre, who also performs on the album.
•A3 “Abdullah And Abraham” was written by saxophonist Arnie Lawrence. •All the other tracks are Chico’s own compositions.
The aforementioned “V-O” feels as if one is standing in bitter cold while violent winds howl all around—quite literally, as wind sounds can actually be heard. A2 “The Morning Side Of Love” was later selected by Jazzanova for their Blue Note compilation BLUE NOTE TRIP. The wind has died down here, but the severe cold still lingers. A3, named after Abdullah, who appears on congas, suggests a point where the traveler no longer even knows where he’s wandering 😆—a chaotic yet strangely seductive piece. With A4 “Andy’s Walk,” it seems our traveler encounters a cheerful character along the way 😄😄.
On the B-side, perhaps we’ve reached a slightly warmer land. Latin elements begin to surface in the music. B3 “Space For Stacy” is a serious instrumental number that heavily features Chico’s drums and percussion. Then comes B4 “On And Off,” which I’d argue is the true highlight of the album—a deeply cool, hard-hitting jazz-funk gem. The album closes with a bluesy tune that feels almost accidentally slipped in, lasting just 57 seconds.
Whether this journey ultimately arrives at a place of inner peace, we’ll never know—but the abstract artwork on the cover perfectly complements the music and is absolutely superb.
チコ・ハミルトンのアルバムでも超お気に入り！当方の生まれ年
75年発表の「ペレグリネーションズ」
それはさておき、旅は旅でもいろんな旅がありまして。A1「V-O」, B2「Little Lisa」は本作参加のベーシストであるSteve Turre, A3「Abdullah And Abraham」をサックスのArnie Lawrenceが作曲。以外はチコのライティングによる全てオリジナル曲で、前述「V-O」は極寒の中風は強く吹き荒れているかの様(実際風の音が鳴っとります)
A2「The Morning Side Of Love」はJAZZANOVAがブルーノート音源をセレクトした「BLUE NOTE TRIP」にも選曲されてるとか。風は止んだものの、厳しい寒さは継続。A3はコンガで参加しているAbdullahの名を配したタイトルですが、いよいよどこを彷徨っているのかすらもわからなくなってしまったかのようなw混沌かつ妖しい雰囲気の曲。A4「Andy’s Walk」では陽気な人物に出会った模様ww
B面はそれまでよりも少し気温の暖かい国に辿り着いたのでしょうか。楽曲もラテンの要素を取り入れたものになっていて、B3「Space For Stacy」はチコのドラムとパーカッションを大々的にフィーチャーしたシリアスなINSTナンバー。からのB4「On And Off」は、思うに本作の白眉ではないかといった激渋のJAZZ FUNK！ラストはなぜか紛れ込んだ感のあるブルージーなナンバーで〆。しかも57秒。
