Andrew Hill: Soul Special

With Andrew Hill, one of Blue Notes more idiosyncratic and challenging pianists, listeners can expect surprisesbut a boogaloo? There are always blues implications underneath Hills unique concept, and while the groove and harmony of Soul Special are undeniably funk based, the mix of improvisational styles sets it apart from other late-'60s rare grooves. Guitarist Jimmy Ponders licks come from the bottom of the soul-jazz bag, and tenorman Frank Mitchell unfurls some short, bluesy, bop-inflected phrases. With his pentatonicism, Woody Shaw is as in-the-pocket as ever (dig his shocking entrance). Hills ambiguous harmonic and rhythmic approach, however, stands out amongst all. His abstract phrasing and crunchy, dissonant clusters keep things distinctly avant-garde while still respecting the groove.