This is the third CD by the PsychoAcoustic Orchestra under the direction of pianist/composer Pat Kelly. It is the first full recording in two decades. The two previous ones were Supreme Thing in 1994 and Reactivation in 1996. If asked to classify the type of music, approximately one hour, I’d say, “Big Band Eclectic.”
Since all are original compositions, this makes the task for the reviewer somewhat more difficult because he doesn’t know “how the tune goes,” Description must be by analogy. Fortunately, Kelly has given us some help with his liner notes, describing how the tunes came to be and identifying the soloists.
“Fun with Notes” has a Mingus-like feel with prominent bass and bass trombone. “Nebulous” is performed at a somewhat slow tempo with sustained prominent bass line. There is also a flute duo and flugelhorn solo. Kelly writes that this was inspired by a Sun Ra Arkestra tune. “The Blues That Never Ends” features Kelly on a Basie-style piano solo. There is an extended piece, fourteen minutes, which is a Coltrane tribute. Its title is “Chant for Ohnedaruth.” Kelly explains in liner notes that “Alice Coltrane has said that her late husband’s name on the astral plane is Ohnedaruth, which means compassion.”
In renewing my friendship with Pat Kelly who lived in Pensacola ’83-’86 before moving with wife back to native Cincinnati, he re
