High Definition is an album by American jazz musician Joe Morris which was recorded in 2007 and released on the Swiss hatOLOGY label. Morris plays double bass instead of guitar. It was the debut recording by his Bass Quartet featuring trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum, saxophonist Allan Chase and drummer Luther Gray. Chase played previously with the rhythm section composed of Morris and Gray on pianist Steve Lantner's quartet.High Definition at HatHut
Reception
The All About Jazz review by Glenn Astarita states "With the undeniably synergistic interplay of the ensemble, Morris pursues a striking balance between ultra-modern mainstream, and avant-garde tinged progressive jazz."Astarita, Glenn. High Definition review at All About Jazz
In his review for The New York Times, Ben Ratliff notes that "High Definition is more traditional than most of Mr. Morris's albums, and not only because it recalls 50-year-old sources. It's also because Mr. Morris is more conventional as a bass player than he is as a guitarist."Ratliff, Ben. High Definition review at The New York Times
The Down Beat review by Peter Margasak says that "the real accomplishment on High Definition is how Morris fits invisibly in the group flow, particularly with drummer Luther Gray. Together, they mete out an imperturbable pulse."Margasak, Peter. High Definition review. Down Beat May 09: page 86. Print.
Track listing All compositions by Joe Morris "Skeleton" – 8:21 "Morning Group" – 8:22 "Land Mass" – 7:50 "Topics" – 6:53 "Bearing" – 4:31 "All-In_One" – 8:13 "Super Spot" – 3:51 "The Air Has Color" – 5:18
Personnel Taylor Ho Bynum – cornet, trumpet, flugelhorn Allan Chase – alto sax, baritone sax, soprano sax Joe Morris - double bass Luther Gray – drums
References