JohnS Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 I know Hugh Ragin's got a couple of fans on this board but overall his profile seems to be rather low. So low in fact that the Penguin Guide seems unaware of the bulk of his discography. His previous cd Feel The Sunshine didn't create any ripples to my knowledge. But that and his other three cds on Justin Time are uniformly excellent. The latest Revelation, a quartet with Assif Tshar, driven along ferociously by William Parker and Hamid Drake, is a cracker. A touch of Ornette, Ayler, bebop, Ragin's at home with it all. I first came across him when he impressed as a member of various David Murray bands and I've liked him ever since. He has a great sound and though I'm not a trumpet player but I'd guess he has a great technique. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with his solo duo recordings but the word is that they are fine showcases for Ragin. Maybe as he's based in Denver he doesn't get around that much but imo he's one of the leading trumpet men around. Quote
relyles Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 (edited) My first exposure to Ragin was also via various David Murray groups. Very exciting and somewhat expressive player. I agree that Feel The Sunshine and Revelation are both very good. Other recordings under Ragin's leadership that I can also recommend are An Afternoon in Harlem (Justin Time) and Back To Saturn (Black Saint). Edited January 25, 2005 by relyles Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 The two Cecma discs are terrific. Quote
John B Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 I'm not familiar with much of Ragin's work but one disc that I love is Open Systems, on Marge. This one features Ragin with Assif Tsahar, Peter Kowald and Hamid Drake. I'll have to explore more of his work. Revelation sounds like a good place to start. Quote
JohnS Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Posted January 25, 2005 John B, Thanks for mentioning Open Systems, that one seems to have passed me by. One to chase up. Quote
relyles Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 I'm not familiar with much of Ragin's work but one disc that I love is Open Systems, on Marge. This one features Ragin with Assif Tsahar, Peter Kowald and Hamid Drake. I forgot about that one. I only listened to it once a while back, but my recollection is that it was definately worth hearing. Quote
Joe Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 (edited) I'm with Chuck on the Cecma discs. METAPHYSICAL QUESTION is a fine trio with John Lindberg and Thurman Barker, and TEAM WORK consists of Lindberg / Ragin duets. The Justin Time releases find Ragin playing very well in a number of diverse settings, but I find the challenges he sets for himself on these earlier dates the more interesting. Of course, any of the Roscoe Mitchell releases with Ragin are worth hearing: SNURDY MCGURDY..., 3 X 4 EYE, MORE CUTOUTS... Edited January 25, 2005 by Joe Quote
relyles Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 This thread motivated me to take out of my desk and listen to a 1995 performance from the Moers Festival by the David Murray quartet with Ragin, Kelly Roberty and Andrew Cyrille. The performance was a tribute to Albert Ayler. I am listening to it now and it is some very intense music. Quote
JSngry Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Ragin's got the best of both worlds - the harmonic fluidity and traditional instrumental command of an "inside" player, and the free-spirited explorativeness of a "free player. Not that the two qualities are mutually exclusive, far from it, but Ragin (and to a little lesser extent, Bakida Carroll) has both in spades, and puts it out there in a "niether/nor" manner that is as powerful as it is natural. Quote
Nate Dorward Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Feel the Sunshine is good, yes--but I'll beg to differ re: Tshar (who contributes a low-budget D Murray/J Carter knockoff). If it weren't for him it'd be a very good disc. What's Ragin up to at the moment? Quote
AllenLowe Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Isn't there some stuff he did with Marty Krystall/Buell Neidlinger? Quote
JohnS Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Posted January 25, 2005 Tshar sounds better on Revelation. I didn't think he was quite right for Sunshine though. My introduction to him by the way. Much as I enjoy Murray I'm not sure I wanted to hear him here. It's true that the Justin Time settings are less challenging but for me that makes them more approachable and therefore more listenable. In short it's just fine jazz. Quote
B. Goren. Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Revelation is a great session. Three more good reasons to listen to it: William Parker, Hamid Drake & Assif Tsahar. Quote
catesta Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 I started to explore Ragin a few months back. I still only have two cds, An Afternoon in Harlem , and Fanfare and Fiesta with Clark Terry. I enjoy both very much. Next on the list for me is... Quote
relyles Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 That's a good one. If I remember correctly, it may also feature a vibes player, which adds a nice change to the sound. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Isn't there some stuff he did with Marty Krystall/Buell Neidlinger? You might be thinking of Hugh Schick. Quote
AllenLowe Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 I don't know - I recall them together on one of Nieldinger's private releases - I'd have to check my shelves - Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 This discussion is welcome, actually - I was just thinking a couple of days ago how much I enjoyed his playing on 'Snurdy...' - especially 'Sing/Song'. Quote
Big Wheel Posted September 23, 2010 Report Posted September 23, 2010 Isn't there some stuff he did with Marty Krystall/Buell Neidlinger? You might be thinking of Hugh Schick. In case anyone was curious what Schick is up to these days, he's the guy in the black baseball cap in the photo. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703904304575497990334592752.html#project%3DSLIDESHOW08%26s%3DSB10001424052748704129204575506281365314958%26articleTabs%3Darticle Quote
MomsMobley Posted June 30, 2014 Report Posted June 30, 2014 Hugh is fantastic on David Murray "Remembrances" (DIW, 1991). with Dave Burrell, Wilbur Morris, Tani Tabbal. It's interesting to note he studied music at U of Houston as undergrad; he's definitely got the chops and then some. as Chuck noted-- hmmmmmmm... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwRnDf7VQWs Quote
clifford_thornton Posted June 30, 2014 Report Posted June 30, 2014 Isn't there some stuff he did with Marty Krystall/Buell Neidlinger? You might be thinking of Hugh Schick. yeah, that disc is good. With Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Quote
Leeway Posted June 30, 2014 Report Posted June 30, 2014 Let's not forget his association with Roscoe Mitchell: And other Sound Machine discs. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted June 30, 2014 Report Posted June 30, 2014 Hugh is also a very warm fellow. This shot is from a Roscoe Mitchell concert in Houston, Fall of 2013. Quote
CraigP Posted July 1, 2014 Report Posted July 1, 2014 Hugh is also a very warm fellow. This shot is from a Roscoe Mitchell concert in Houston, Fall of 2013 That's the concert at which I met you in person, finally! Quote
David Ayers Posted July 3, 2014 Report Posted July 3, 2014 By coincidence I was listening to his contributions to Braxton's Composition 98 on the Hat Now series CD. A very moderately paced and spacious AB piece which seems to have been well-prepared by all. The original LP version contained a concert performance of the same piece which I'm guessing will never see the light of day again, though I guess a needle drop could be sourced by the ingenious. Quote
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