Jane Ira Bloom - Slalom (Columbia, 1988)

This post is by Scott and Dan

Jane Ira Bloom (ss); Fred Hersch (p); Kent McLagan (b, el b); Tom Rainey (d, perc)

Recorded on June 06 - 09, 1988

Jane Ira Bloom's recording career now exceeds 40 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Slalom was her fifth album and second on the Columbia label. She has forged a true identity beginning in 1980 on an instrument that most sax players treat as secondary. Her use of live electronics helped to distinguish her from the rest of the pack, while not using electronics as a gimmick. The electronics blend appropriately into the flow of the compositions, most of which are Bloom originals. 

Two familiar ballads are given a lovely reading: Gershwin's "I Loves You Porgy," and "If I Should Lose You." Bloom is an exquisite balladeer and demonstrated her skills on her 1996 album, The Nearness on Arabesque.  Her approach is to work the familiar themes into a free-flowing abstraction. "Porgy" is transformed into a free-form sketch, to great effect. 

Slalom's original release was on digital vinyl, CD, and cassette. We've run across the vinyl dozens of times in used record stores at rock-bottom prices. Shoppers should not be suspicious of its quality, which is first rate (both artistically and sonically). It's ubiquitous presence is due to major labels shortening the product life cycle by dumping inventory. 

A quick word about the members of Bloom's band on Slalom. Fred Hersch is one of the greatest pianists of the last 40 years, and Tom Rainey is one of the best drummers on the scene today. Both demonstrate deep understanding of Bloom's musical vision and provide perfect support for it. Bassist Kent McLagan appeared on Bloom's first recording (Second Wind, 1980) but has a low discographic profile.