Now! is one of
Bobby Hutcherson's most adventurous recordings. Cut with the Harold Land Quintet in 1969,
Hutcherson augments the lineup with vocalist
the Right Reverend Eugene McDaniels (then
Gene McDaniels) and a chorus at the height of Black Power consciousness. While this band may not appeal to straight hard and post-bop listeners who prefer their music instrumentally, it is a compelling and even stunning record if accepted on its own terms. The compositions reflect the tightrope
Hutcherson and
Land walked on their earlier outings together between post-bop and vanguard jazz The interplay between
Hutcherson and
Stanley Cowell's 's piano in the instrumental passages in "Slow Change" is so intuitive and symbiotic it may slip by the listener who is not paying attention.
Land's solo too, comes out for the post-
Coltrane ethos and fills the vocal lines powerfully and convincingly. Elsewhere, on "Hello to the Wind," written by drummer
Joe Chambers and
McDaniels, the influence of
Terry Callier is evident in the tune's dynamic and melody line that is led by
Wally Richardson's guitar. With fine piano work by
Kenny Barron and a fluid, modal bassline by
Herbie Lewis.
McDaniels' voice is in fine form here, his husky baritone effortlessly coloring the mix. The title cut is a short lullaby written by
Hutcherson and
McDaniels, tender, simple and haunting as
Land's saxophone winds through the shouts of female voices with restraint and elegance. The utter creative vision of
Herbie Lewis' "The Creators" showcases the band at the height of its powers with
Cowell holding the piano chair with killer Latin rhythms, psychedelic electric guitar and a provocative engagement between
Land,
Hutcherson and the chorus. The original set ends with "Black Heroes" by
Land. A scatted, syncopated piece of counterculture beat jazz, it offers a better portrait of the band than it does of
McDaniels or the choral group. A hard bop piece with a striated and knotty vocal intro and finish, it is a fitting and exciting final track. ~ Thom Jurek