Solid is a companion piece to the
Grant Green classic
Matador, recorded about a month later with the same rhythm section, and also not issued until 1979.
Green is once again accompanied by the
Coltrane supporting team of pianist
McCoy Tyner and drummer
Elvin Jones, plus bassist
Bob Cranshaw; this time, however,
Green is also joined on the front line by
James Spaulding on alto sax and
Joe Henderson on tenor. Both saxophonists really seem to light a fire under the proceedings, for in comparison with the relatively subdued
Matador,
Solid is a bright, hard-charging affair. There's a little
modal jazz, but
Solid's repertoire is chiefly complex
hard bop, full of challenging twists and turns that the players burn through with enthusiasm.
Green didn't tackle this kind of material -- or play with this kind of group -- very often, and it's a treat to hear him do so on both counts. The compositions -- highlighted by
Duke Pearson's
"Minor League," Henderson's
"The Kicker," and a storming, ten-minute exploration of
George Russell's
"Ezz-Thetic" -- provoke some intricate improvisations from
Green, and his perfectly controlled soloing is an interesting contrast with the passionate
Spaulding and
Henderson.
Tyner and
Jones are once again telepathic in their support, elevating the whole package to one of
Green's strongest
jazz outings and a unique standout in his catalog. [Oddity: the CD bonus track
"Wives and Lovers" seems to be the same one included on
Matador, where it was a better fit.] ~ Steve Huey
