Love Supreme Collective is the Ropeadope debut by Billboard chart-topping saxophonist Frank Catalano and longtime Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
Chicago-based Catalano and Chamberlin met in 1999 at the former
Boulevard Cafe in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood during a jam
session that Catalano was hosting. On that night, the jam included John
Medeski, DJ Logic, Steve Kimock, Les Claypool and Sugar Blue. Catalano
and Chamberlin started playing together soon after for fun, mostly at
each other's houses with the exception of a few Jimmy Chamberlin Complex
performances.
"I have been a fan and
friend of Frank's for fifteen years and I am happy we are making music
together," Chamberlin says. This collaboration has enabled Chamberlin to
reconnect with his jazz roots. Fans of Chamberlin's drumming will be
delighted to hear him in this context, as he demonstrates an inspired
range of depth in his playing. "Jimmy is my favorite drummer and I think
of him like he's my big brother," Catalano says. "We played together at
the Green Mill in Chicago recently and I still have the music running
through my body. It was so special, words can't properly express my
feelings."
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Photo Courtesy of Artist
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While Catalano has nothing but joy and positive feelings for the music on Love Supreme Collective,
this inspired album has its genesis in difficult circumstances. In
2011, Catalano sustained serious injuries after his car was hit by a
drunk driver. He cites John Coltrane's A Love Supreme as the
spiritual anchor during his difficult recovery. Catalano wanted to make a
recording that embodied the love, thanks, and praise of A Love Supreme without copying it. Catalano was fortunate to have worked with A Love Supreme's
legendary drummer, Elvin Jones, who Chamberlin cites as one of his
biggest influences. As such, the passion felt for the material on this
recording is easily apparent.
For this project, Chamberlin enlisted his keyboardist from the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, Adam Benjamin (Kneebody), and Catalano rounded up PolCat members Percy Jones (Brand X, Soft Machine) and Chris Poland (Megadeth) for the bass and guitar work, respectively.
"This recording is
about crafting emotions and feelings," Catalano says. "The way the guys
set the tone and mood for each song is pretty unreal. Love Supreme Collective resembles a through composed contemporary classical piece with four movements."
At Catalano's request,
Ropeadope is selling the recording on iTunes as an "all or nothing,"
album, because, as Catalano says, "I didn't want this work separated and
fragmented. While I am very proud of my recordings for the Savoy and
Delmark labels, this is the first time I used my classical composition
training to frame the work of a recording. This freed me to keep
Coltrane, Von Freeman and other spiritual energy near my heart and under
my fingers."
Catalano entered into
the process of recording this album with a distinct and inspired purpose
for each track. "'Acknowledgement of Truth' takes the listener on an
intense spiritual journey before finding some peace on 'Resolution of
Purpose,'" Catalano says. "'Pursuance and Persistence' has many meanings
to me as this is where things are coming together, life wise."
Catalano is at a stage
of his career as an established veteran in the Chicago jazz scene where
he often hears questions regarding the direction of his music and
career: What is important? What are you working to achieve? Are you
happy with your situation? What are you going after? With Love Supreme Collective,
Catalano chooses to answer these questions through his music. "It is
easy to say words," he says, "but to express these emotions, thoughts,
feelings in an instrumental album is something else. 'Psalm for John' is
probably the most special on a personal level. A psalm can help
inculcate belief in divine providence into one's consciousness. Percy
Jones and I are bending our bass and soprano sax notes together at the
same time, without discussing it, playing off each other, as if our
minds are being fed this info. We did not filter or limit the music in
any way. It was a very powerful and spiritual experience. I want to
thank everyone who is reading these words and checking out the music!"
October 26 / Iridium Jazz Club / New York, NY
November 14 / Mayne Stage / Chicago, IL
December 18 - 20 / Andy's Jazz Club / Chicago, IL
Upcoming Frank Catalano Sextet Performances:
August 27 / The Green Mill / Chicago, IL
September 11 / St. Charles Jazz Festival / St. Charles, IL
October 10 & 11 / Andy's Jazz Club / Chicago, IL
October 31 - November 1 / Earshot Jazz Festival / Seattle, WA
November 28 & 29 / Andy's Jazz Club / Chicago, IL
