Marcin Oles - bass solo

Countless musicians have been examining, interpreting and saluting the work of Coleman, who in his originality was seen as a "wild man" of jazz, when he first recorded in 1958. Oles may be the first bassist to record a whole solo CD of Coleman themes. But considering many of the heads harken back to the country blues string band tradition, a bull fiddle would seem to be ideal for the task. Oles is comfortable enough with the music to create his own variations as well, adding a "Pop Goes the Weasel" interlude to "Soap Suds" after repetitive staccato bowing to give more color to the proceedings. He also performs three short versions of "Lonely Woman" -- the saxman's most famous composition -- each substantially different. One turns the piece into a slap-bass showcase, with the variations preceding the overly familiar theme that's signaled with flat-picking strums. More straightforward, the second features a throbbing ostinato from the lower strings; while the third and final atmospheric bowed version brings out the impressionistic menace buried within the tune. (Ken Waxman)