Rich Versus Roach, Review

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Rich Versus Roach, Review

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Artist: Max Roach & Buddy Rich

Album: Rich Versus Roach

Release Date: 1959

Label: Mercury

Genre: Jazz

Rich Versus Roach (1959) Review
In 1959 there was a lot of dominant music, but none seemed as popular as jazz. Starting in the 1920s and moving through the decades, this musical genre brought together some of the most amazing sounds that you could expect from instruments. It was an incredible form of music, that seemed to showcase the thrill of youth, and the joy of dancing, and culture that sprouted from unlikely sources. Today, when you talk to the common music fan, you will hear them talk about jazz in a negative way. They may say they like jazz, but they most likely only know a few names, including Kenny G. If they mention that curly haired dude, then they don’t really like the genre.

That’s not to say that they (even you) can’t appreciate classic records, it’s just that most don’t even realize how great some of the music is that comes directly from the past. For instance, this record from 1959 is loaded with musical genius. It’s a “versus” record which pitted two drummers against each other in a frenzied, frenetic pace that you don’t often see today. You will not see this kind of dual drumming amidst a lot of bands of modern music. Leave it to a record that is over 50 years old to show up most drummers today. Even Travis Barker would bow to the prowess of Max Roach and Buddy Rich on this recording.
Backed by a group of horns, and incredible bass lines, these two bring you through the ups and downs of everything you can imagine on the drums. You may think that it would be boring to hear someone play drums, but that’s far from what you get here. Even though the opening track is a familiar “swing” tune, the rest of it moves through solo after solo, and dual fluctuations of sound that will impress even the most bitter of music fan.

Standing on the strength of “Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)”, “Yesterdays”, “Limehouse Blues”, and a Charlie Parker cameo on “Big Foot”, these two blow away all the talent that you may think of when you consider good drumming today. The only drummer that I’ve seen in recent times that wowed me in the same regard played metal. Metal musicians take some major pointers from guys like Max Roach, and even Tito Puente, and it shows.

“Rich Versus Roach” is one of those incredible albums that you can’t simply listen to once. It’s so intricate, balanced, and outstanding, that you’ll want to hear it again and again. It really is a shining light of how dual drumming could work in a very frenetic, and yet united pace. Mix in the bass lines, trumpets, and other sounds, and you get a compelling and intrepid example of jazz music that no one can deny is good. Even if you aren’t a big fan of the genre, this will stun you.

Pros: Frenetic and frenzied drumming, incredible bass lines, fancy moments

Cons: Original pressing can be expensive, no electric guitar, lack of curly hair and saxophone interludes

Rating: 9/10

Links

CD: http://amzn.to/18Ciqyd

Mp3 Download: http://amzn.to/1fKbKOh

Vinyl: http://amzn.to/1cEojqv

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Written by Sir Jorge