May 2008

Paul Hemmings Trio With John Tchicai
Letter From America
Leading Tone

By Forrest Dylan Bryant

This collaboration between guitarist Hemmings and avant-garde saxophonist Tchicai is a curious amalgam, contrasting amorphous freejazz with the pounding beat of surf rock, or mixing whispered dialogues with intense tugs-of-war and happy little grooves. The underlying theme here is elusive, although geographic song titles suggest something relating to American diversity. What is clear is the rapport between the two leaders, who whirl about each other furiously at one moment and kick back into a soulful conversation in the next.