Orgonomic Music

Jessica Jennifer Williams Orgonomic Music There are more than two sides to this recording. “My hope is that this music is of sufficient emotional depth to move the listener.” – pianist, composer, spiritual leader, Wilhelm Reich-devotee Jessica Williams said that. I made this first statement—not to be coy or hip-cute, but to let the listener know that the powerful statements made instrumentally here are the outpourings of performers who have been inspired by the writing, playing and philosophy of Jessica Williams. There are themes and rhythms, harmonic structures and ensemble passages on this recording that may be the most impressive and profound musical expressions you’ve heard since your first hearing of Mingus, Coleman, the Jazz Composers’ Orchestra, Ellington . . . you get the idea. Williams scored out all this material in a month; the septet had six days’ rehearsal, and recorded the whole batch in six hours. The way you’ll hear it—no splicing, no overdubbing. Without question the hours I’ve spent listening to this recording have been among the most exciting, stimulating and astonishing in my four decades of record spinning. And you’ll agree, even those predisposed to suspect anything original and new—those who prefer the old, the borrowed, and the blues. Because Williams is a probing, deep thinking artistic philosopher and doesn’t know how to perform in a superficial manner, this collection of six instrumentals and two piano solos is probing, deep, and magnificently personal. All the musicians here, (San Francisco area players), have come up with their finest efforts, and there is more than a little significance in that. Phillip Elwood The San Francisco Examiner Pianist Jessica Williams' fourth recording finds her taking a giant step forward. Utilizing a septet that includes trumpeter Eddie Henderson, tenor saxophonist Jim Grantham, guitarist Henry Robinett, both Kim Stone and Richard Saunders on bass, and drummer Dave Tucker, Williams is quite powerful on seven of her originals plus a reverential version of John Coltrane's "Dear Lord." This memorable effort is long overdue to be reissued on CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide