Watching Cartoons with Eddie, is the culmination of nearly two decades of collaborative work between drummer-composer Ehran Elisha and trumpeter-composer Roy Campbell, both native New Yorkers who have been prominent on the Jazz and New Music scene for many years.
Though comprised of only two instrumentalists, the album’s compositions, improvisations, and textures suggest an orchestral scope, and a panorama of stylistic ideas and aesthetics.
Along with their own creative concepts, Elisha and Campbell have created pieces that pay tribute to their inspirations, influences, and mentors, in works such as “For BD” (Bill Dixon) and the title track, a piece dedicated to the music and memory of the legendary drummer Ed Blackwell.
This album, recorded in Brooklyn, NY, in 2008, is a major statement in the art of the Jazz duet form between two kindred musical souls.
"The influence of Cherry and Blackwell is very apparent throughout the album though they do stray from the freewheeling hard-bop feel to delve into more subdued, meditative and introspective pieces (Side B/C). Contained here are the aforementioned lyrical jazz licks but also all sorts of African polyrhythmic techniques, Middle Eastern modalities, and all sorts of textural experimentation" (KFJC Blog)
"The remainder of the material features Elisha and Campbell back in a classic free jazz encounter, energetic, spirited, full of changing rhythms, with ironic references to jazz masters as on "The Dizzy Roach." "Faith Offers Free Refills" is a continuation of the latter with its African polyrhythmic drumming, and this beautiful recording closes with the quiet, prayer-like "October""(All About Jazz)
Full track listing:
1.
They Enter Through the Ear 06:24
2.
Watching Cartoons With Eddie 08:08
3.
For BD 17:28
4.
Aesthetics Encounters, Part One 09:22
5.
Interlude, Dude 03:24
6.
Aesthetics Encounters, Part Two 08:10
7.
The Dizzy Roach 03:58
8.
Faith Offers Free Refills 08:49
9.
October 05:33
supported by 12 fans who also own “Watching Cartoons With Eddie”
Simply amazing to hear a new album with Wadada and Ewart!! ...And Reed rounds out this trio beautifully.
Just gave it my first spin. Absolutely magical. jeffrey maurer
supported by 10 fans who also own “Watching Cartoons With Eddie”
This record has such a magical flow to it, it seems to capture so directly the ups and downs of life, the joy of music and dance, and it's just so damn catchy and fun to listen to as well. Giles
It’s hard to say exactly what SIM CARD HØLDER is, but on this LP, it plunges you deep into a terrifying world of shadow and space. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 29, 2021
A previously unreleased LP from Hermeto Pascoal, a cultural icon in Brazilian music. A mix of structured compositions and improvised work. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 12, 2017