By Gary Chapin

George Cartwright’s Curlew was a bellwether for me in my foundling
days, opening my ears in so some ways it’s arduous to think about how I might hear
the world if I hadn’t encountered them. If nothing else, I owe Cartwright a
lot for introducing me (sonically) to Tom Cora, the late, nice cellist.

Three recordings not too long ago crossed my transom, and they’re all value your
time and consideration.

George Cartwright and Bruce Golden – Dilate (sr 2024)

Dilate is a duo recording of George Cartwright, ostensibly a
saxophonist however on this document a lot extra, and Bruce Golden, Curlew
drummer however on this document … you get the thought. With attribute
drollness, Cartwright is credited with the “licked sounds” and Golden with
the “nailed sounds.” I don’t discover the query of “who did what” all that
compelling for music like this. Identical to when the AEC play their little
devices, I don’t actually care if it’s Mitchell or Jarman banging on the
bicycle body. I simply let it occur to me.

That is an summary and wild set, with a lot electronics and concrete going
on. It has the humor and storytelling I affiliate with Cartwright, and the
intrigue. As we transfer by sections, I’m pushed ahead considering, “I
marvel how that is going to end up.” Some overdubbing, a whole lot of
manufacturing tweaking the envelope in a theatrical means. A nice document.

George Cartwright’s GloryLand PonyCat – Black Ants Crawling (Mahakala 2024)

GloryLand PonyCat is the title of the trio, with Cartwright’s tenor (and
alto, it says, however I hear nearly solely tenor), Alden Ikeda, drums, and
Adam Linz, bass. Conceptually, it is a a lot simpler document to understand than
Dilate. It’s a sax trio from the avant jazz world, a reside 2003
recording from the Clown Lounge in St. Paul, initially launched on Innova.
Now reissued on Mahakala.

Calling it conceptually graspable will not be a knock on the document. Generally
you wish to be intelligent, generally intelligent is the unsuitable factor to be and the
proper factor to do is simply play some wonderful music for an hour, and that’s
what the trio does right here. A lot of the document is in clear post-bop territory,
however there’s a whole lot of drift. Linz and Ikeda are glorious each as help
for Cartwright and as musical groundswells in their very own proper. All three
push their devices to their limits, with one monitor, “God Has Smiled On
Me,” evoking Albert Ayler in one of the best ways.

George Cartwright – Ghostly Bee (Mahakala, 2023)

This one is from a bit additional again, however since we’re speaking about
Cartwright, I couldn’t assist however convey it up. One other reissue of an Innova
disc from 2005 — this reissue collection is an actual service to our group.
We’ve obtained a quintet with Cartwright, Golden, and Linz, joined by Chris
Parker on keyboards, and Dave Williams on guitar.

And should you stood up and cheered if you learn Davey Williams title, there, I
wouldn’t blame you. I used to be not not stunned that Williams (very long time Curlew
doyen) infused this disc together with his wonderfulness, however I used to be pleasantly
revelated. Like Cartwright and Tom Cora, Williams sound is so distinctive, wealthy,
and vulgar—it’s a present.

Perhaps it’s one other a type of age issues. I hearken to musicians I really like
and suppose, “Has he ALWAYS been this wonderful?” Perhaps it’s simply gratitude.

Ghostly Bee includes two three half suites, that every have their very own
syntax and storylines, however these acquainted with Cartwright’s work will
acknowledge the candy spot he’s in.