Point of Departure

Point of Departure

ASIN: B000005HCO

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In an extensive label catalog as uniformly excellent as Blue Note's, it's virtually impossible to pick "the greatest" album. Still, there's little doubt that pianist Andrew Hill's Point of Departure is one of the label's most extraordinary recordings. Hill, a Chicagoan whose varied resumé as a sideman included stints with Dinah Washington, Jackie McLean, the Johnny Griffin/Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis band, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, was a perfect addition to the Blue Note roster: a thoroughly modern composer and a thoughtful soloist, capable of handling both leader dates and sideman roles. Indeed, Hill's stature as the leader here would seem arbitrary were the album not all his compositions. Every player on the album is a band leader and trendsetter in his own right: trumpeter Kenny Dorham, reedmen Joe Henderson and Eric Dolphy, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Anthony Williams. Employing a wide variety of meters, Point of Departure covers a broad range of material, from the angular and gripping "Refuge" though the shifting "Spectrum," to the brisk "Flight 19," and introspective closer, "Dedication." It is, in many ways, the classic Blue Note album: an intense, modern, and gripping performance. --Fred Goodman

Tracks:

Refuge
New Monastery
Spectrum
Flight
Dedication
New Monastery (Alternate Take)
Flight 19 (Alternate Take)
Dedication (Alternate Take)

Album Description

Alfred Lion considered Andrew Hill his last major discovery and rightly so. Hill's rich, rhythmic piano and utterly unique compositions stand alone. Point Of Departure is Hill's masterpiece with rich three-horn arrangements for Kenny Dorham, Eric Dolphy and Joe Henderson. Richard Davis and Tony Williams complete this high level ensemble.

Three alternate takes have been added to the original LP.

Customer Reviews:

A classic.......2006-04-24

In the 60s Blue Note diversified from being primarily a hard bop label to issuing adventurous recordings by Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Eric Dolphy, Grachan Moncur and others. This album -- Andrew Hill's fourth for the label -- is one of the peaks of that diversification, and one of my favorite jazz albums from the 60s.

Once I read a review where the author called this recording an avant-garde "Blues and the Abstract Truth", and the comparison is apt. Like that other album, Point of Departure unleashes an ensemble of brilliant improvisers on interesting, distinctive compositional material. Each tune inhabits its own musical universe, generating the album's significant sonic variety. As far as the ensemble, Eric Dolphy and Tony Williams pull the album in the avant-garde direction, Kenny Dorham provides some conservative ballast, and Joe Henderson sits somewhere in the middle. Richard Davis was Hill's bassist of choice, appearing on most of his early Blue Note albums. Hill himself offers some superb piano playing.

"Refuge" is the album's longest track. The solos are a pretty remarkable bunch -- it's tough to pick a favorite between those of Hill, Dolphy, Davis and Henderson. Each one offers a different interpretation of the tune. "New Monastery", as you might have guessed, is a tribute to Monk and has that typically Monkish lope. "Spectrum" is a suite that heavily features Dolphy on all three of his instruments: it opens with a section similar to "New Monastery", moves onto a Latin section in 5/4, and includes a ballad section with duetting flutes and a nice Dorham solo. "Flight 19", the shortest tune, plays solos by Hill and Davis off against collective improvisation by the ensemble. Finally, "Dedication" is the closing ballad; the mournful theme leads to inspired meditations by Dolphy, Hill (possibly his best of the session) and Henderson.

If you like this, be sure to explore other Blue Note albums like Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch, Bobby Hutcherson's Dialogue and others. In addition, check out other Andrew Hill albums like Black Fire, Judgment and Passing Ships. I haven't been disappointed with any of his Blue Note releases, but in my opinion this one is the best.

My ears are bleeding........2005-09-21

Ok, I like this kind of music - avant garde, free jazz. And this music is a great example of quality jazz. However, these Rudy Van Gelder recordings are highly overrated. The first track on this CD sounds like they stripped the bass out the mix and jacked up the treble. Your first response is to bolt out of the listening chair to turn down the volumn. How does a recording that is supposedly "remastered" end up this way?

Truly different.......2005-05-15

Andrew Hill and the musicians who collaborated on this CD produced something that is truly timeless. An exercise in free jazz during an era of great experiment that yet has elements of traditional hard bop that undergird the musical explorations. Anchored by the incredible drumming of Tony Williams the band swings at times through some amazingly complex group improvisations. THe second track New Monastery , a riff on Monk, is stunning and sounds fresh with each listen. This is really top notch stuff that will enrich any jazz collection.
Hill , Eric Dolphy and the others here created a masterwork for the ages.

A MASTERPIECE!.......2005-03-26

This is not just simply one of the best jazz CDs,but one of the greatest music statements in the 20th century.It's timeless.You can listen to it many times and each time it sounds fresh and gives you deep esthetic satisfaction of something fully and deeply accomplished.Don't be fooled after the first listening!The music will open itself after several listenings.Take your time and you will be rewarded.A true MASTERPIECE!!!

Advanced music in the modern World.......2005-03-22

Point of Departure is Andrew Hills greatest work, and one of bluenotesbest releases. The presence of the late be-bopper Kenny Dorham may seem odd but after you hear his smoking solo on "Refuge" you will not doubt that kenny could play almost anything. On alto sax and Bass Clarinet is Eric dolphy who was one hell of a musician. Dolphy would play stuff that no other player would dare to try. Joe Henderson who was dorhams running mate at the time and produced such albums as "Page One", is the tenor saxophonist on this date and although it doesn't list, he plays flute alongside dolphy for a part on "Spectrum". Hill of course on piano is as sparkling as ever. Hill was one man to develope his own playing and composing style that was somewhat incomparable. In many ways he reflected Monk and he was affected very much by him but then who wasn't. The only other pianist who could relate to monk and hills style without manipulating them was Mal Waldron. The driving force of a good rhythmn section is what is most inspiring to the soloist, Richard Davis and Tony Williams were the ideal musicians for this date. The opening track, "Refuge", is completely out of this world. Everyone plays like it's their last date and in Dolphy's situation it was his last date. The only man who seems somewhat to be covered in the shadow of his fellow players is Joe Henderson and even he is on fire. Davis's gritty pizzicato lines are tremendously effective alongside Tony Williams implied rhythmic drumming. Hills monk tribute, "New Monestary", has an intersting melody and although no-one really takes a solo everyone is in top form esp Dolphy. My Personal favorite is "Spectrum with a beautiful Bass clarinet solo from Eric. When I say beautiful, I don't exactly mean pretty but filled with feeling and love. Kenny Dorham plays with just Hill and Davis comping behind him, the feeling is awsome. "Flight" 19, as Mr. Hill said in the liner notes, sort of gives you the feeling of birds flying. The last piece is a ballad and is entitled "Dedication" which has been used quite a few times by other jazz musicians. "Point of Departure" is A great piece of music. Hills music was very advanced as was his predecessor monk. As monk would say "My music isn't ahead of my time, people are just 20 years behind me."

Average customer rating:

Earplay
Richard Festinger , Wayne Peterson , Elliott Carter , Andrew Frank , David Vayo , Gustavo Moretto , George Thomson , and Roxann Jacobson
Manufacturer: Centaur
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000057Z1
Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

Rhapsody
Septet
Labyrinth
Esprit Rude/Espirit Doux
Points Of Departure
Poem
Silenciosamente

Average customer rating:

Result is the Judement of Nature

Point of Departure
Andrew Hill
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Time Lines

ASIN: B000005HCO
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Refuge
New Monastery
Spectrum
Flight 19
Flight 19 (Alternate Take)
Dedication
Dedication (Alternate Take)

Amazon.com

In an extensive label catalog as uniformly excellent as Blue Note's, it's virtually impossible to pick "the greatest" album. Still, there's little doubt that pianist Andrew Hill's Point of Departure is one of the label's most extraordinary recordings. Hill, a Chicagoan whose varied resumé as a sideman included stints with Dinah Washington, Jackie McLean, the Johnny Griffin/Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis band, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, was a perfect addition to the Blue Note roster: a thoroughly modern composer and a thoughtful soloist, capable of handling both leader dates and sideman roles. Indeed, Hill's stature as the leader here would seem arbitrary were the album not all his compositions. Every player on the album is a band leader and trendsetter in his own right: trumpeter Kenny Dorham, reedmen Joe Henderson and Eric Dolphy, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Anthony Williams. Employing a wide variety of meters, Point of Departure covers a broad range of material, from the angular and gripping "Refuge" though the shifting "Spectrum," to the brisk "Flight 19," and introspective closer, "Dedication." It is, in many ways, the classic Blue Note album: an intense, modern, and gripping performance. --Fred Goodman

Customer Reviews:

Result is the Judement of Nature.......1998-08-24

Andrew Hill has developed one of the most distinctive and original voices on piano which he guages in a manner that is not be-bop nor free and yet, holding semblance to both schools. His melodic sense runs smooth and linear. His phrasing is sudden and punctuated by chordal spurts. His group accomidate him in surprising and delightful ways, Eric Dolphy (reeds) and Richard Davis (bass) stand out particularly well. This music contradicts itself constantly. Musicians that are capable of being this unconventional and at the same time, inoffensive are few. Andrew Hill is one of the few remaining pioneers in this music and we are blessed to still have him with us. It is difficult to imagine anyone not enjoying this recording.

Average customer rating:

new music
I heard 10 seconds of it and loved it

Our Point of Departure
HiM
Manufacturer: Perishable
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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New Features
Sworn Eyes
Lila
Five & Six in Dub
Peoples

ASIN: B00004Y7T8
Release Date: 2000-08-29

Tracks:

Arrival
Liberation part 1
Liberation part 2
Third Wish
Weary Not Beaten
Persistant Life

Album Description

Our Point of Departure, the 4th full length album from HIM, incorporates elements of jazz improvisation, dub punctuation and electronic soundscapes, relying heavily on the synthesis if the collected influences of this diverse and inspiring combination of people.

The original tracks for the session were initiated by Doug Scharin and Fred Erskine and fleshed out by Carlo Cennamo, Jon Theodore and Sean Meadows. Doug then combed through the hours of tape and extended the forms of each piece. The result is music that seamlessly combines the live sound and communication of an improvised recording session with something electronic and entirely new.

Customer Reviews:

new music.......2002-06-09

this album is great, jazz lovers and beat-oriented groove fans should check these guys out. I love the last song, the horns are backwards!!

I heard 10 seconds of it and loved it.......2001-07-14

Though it may only be 38 minutes long, Our Point Of Departure is a real good album. This entire album is one continous song (it's an instrumental), all at the same tempo, split into 6 different tracks. What i enjoyed about this is the drums (african voodoo drums are an influence) and the amazingly crazy horns. This is a CD truly worth the money. And i'm not sure about you, but it gives me a certain feeling of power knowing and liking a band which nobody's ever heard of.

Average customer rating:

This CD is classic jazz at its best!!!

Departure Point
Pete Whitman
Manufacturer: Igmod Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000006OIM
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

Departure Point
Maybe So
Meme's Love Song
It Could Happen To You
Gail Ellen
Love For Sale
Dr. No-Know
Reiko
The Mighty
No Regrets For My Youth

Customer Reviews:

This CD is classic jazz at its best!!!.......1999-07-08

If you're looking for a great jazz CD that doesn't bog down with too many droning solos, or too much of any one type of music, this CD is the best! The band itself is great to see live in the Twin Cities, and the trombone player was my high school Jazz instructor. This CD is great. *****

Average customer rating:

Stuart Laughton: Remembrance

Manufacturer: Marquis Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000ZOK0Q
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Fanfare For St. Edmundsbury
Chanson Pour Evelyne
Nocturne
Lamento 1
Sad Fountains
Lamento 2
Le Rossignol
Solitude
Prayer Of St. Gregory
Promenade
She's Like The Swallow
Canadian Folk Song Sketches
Pointe Pelee
Departure Music
The Silver Rose
The Last Post
Reveille

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Point of Departure
Mary Ellen Bernard
Manufacturer: Original Cast Record
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000004COU
Release Date: 1995-03-24

Tracks:

Sugar Reef
Kiss Me Sweet
Caffeine
The Dutchman
Princess Poo-Poo-Ly Has Plenty Pa-Pa-Ya/Let's Talk Dirty In Hawaiian
Alcohol
All For The Love Of The Game
Dance Dis Dance
America In My Mind
Take Me Home

Average customer rating:

A Point of Departure
Awesome Start
A Diamond in the Rough

A Point of Departure
Phill Argyris
Manufacturer: SandieSue
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00008J1BF
Release Date: 2003-02-14

Tracks:

What I Heard (P. Argyris)
When Will The Blues Leave (O. Coleman)
Milestones (M. Davis)
A Point Of Departure (P. Argyris)
Body & Soul (E. Heyman, R. Sour, F. Eyton, J. Green)
Bye Bye Blackbird (R. Henderson, M. Dixon)
It Could Happen To You (J. Burke, J. Van Husen)
For John (Heis) - Solo Flute (S. Strickland)
In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (D. Mann, B. Hilliard)
Beatrice (S. Rivers)

Customer Reviews:

A Point of Departure.......2003-05-17

I first encountered the Phill Argyris Quartet on mp3.com, from which I downloaded some of their first music which they had posted there.

I found them refreshingly original, with a great touch, and a wide range of styles. But, most important of all, they swing. I shall look for their CD when I visit the US soon.

Great stuff.

Awesome Start.......2003-04-30

I have been waiting for a CD from these guys for some time. I am pleasantly surprised with the quality of the tracks. Phill's title track rocks with wonderful transitions. Stan Strickland makes things happen on track 6 with awesome scatting. These cats are cooking. This disc offers a great value with over 70 minutes of music. I can't wait for the next one.

A Diamond in the Rough.......2003-03-12

If you don't live around the Boston area, and pay attention to the jazz scene, you may have never heard of Phill Argyris.
That's too bad, but now is your chance to listen to a great jazz sextet, playing a wonderful mixture of classics (Miles and Ornette Coleman) as well as several terrific originals. Phill Argyris really swings on the piano on his title track, Point of Departure, but shows great restraint by laying back on several other tunes, while the great Stan Strickland blows his horns (tenor, soprano and the flute). On the first track, "What I Heard", you can hear a similarity to Coltrane, but Strickland definitely has his own style. What blew me away was after listening to the first five tracks, and really loving this straight-ahead mainstream jazz, track six comes along, and Stan Strickland lays down his sax to do the vocals. Wow, that man can sing, and scat, he does it all. This is a real treat, and the other players, from Bob Johnson on guitar to Phil Grenadier on trumpet and the fabulous rhythm section of Jerry Wilfong on bass and John Connelly on drums, all complement each other beautifully. Hopefully the rest of the world will soon be hearing more from this wonderful group of seasoned professionals.

Average customer rating:

Steeped in Strayhorn
Lucia Newell , and Departure Point
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FTW13K
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Average customer rating:

A classic
My ears are bleeding.
Truly different
A MASTERPIECE!
Advanced music in the modern World

Point of Departure
Andrew Hill
Manufacturer: Blue Note Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000025NFT
Release Date: 1999-12-08

Tracks:

Refuge
New Monastery
Spectrum
Flight 19
Dedication

Album Description

Three alternate takes have been added to the original LP.

Customer Reviews:

A classic.......2006-04-24

My ears are bleeding........2005-09-21

Truly different.......2005-05-15

A MASTERPIECE!.......2005-03-26

Advanced music in the modern World.......2005-03-22

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