By Shannon J. Effinger | Published January 2018
Free Of Form is Sarah Elizabeth Charles’ third release as a leader and her second collaboration with co-producer and trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah. It also marks her debut on Scott’s Stretch Music (Ropeadope) imprint as its first female artist. Somehow, Charles and Scott are “freer” together, as both artists and collaborators, than perhaps they have been on their own previous leader efforts. Scott’s adeptness on the production side gives Charles ample freedom and courage to share our collective thoughts on today’s social injustices. The connection between Charles and Scott is also felt by the members of SCOPE—formerly known as the S.E. Charles Quartet.
Simply put, the first half of the album is the album. There’s a level of in-the-pocket synergy achieved on cuts like the title track, “March To Revolution” and “Taller” by keyboardist Jesse Elder, bassist Burniss Earl Travis II and drummer John Davis that makes one wonder if they realized that they were in fact recording an album. Against the unwavering rhythmic backdrop, notably Davis’ steady backbeat, this in part brings out the most from Scott’s untethered horn and from the abundant layers of Charles’ vocals with effects. The potent immediacy and charge you get after hearing the first six tracks or so consecutively is not only attributed to its production value and socially relevant commentary, but, more importantly, a testament to how Charles has stayed true to the lessons she learned so long ago.
Free Of Form: Purview; Free Of Form; March To Revolution Part II; Taller; Learn How To Love; Change To Come; Thinker; Zombie; I Will Wait; The Fold; Another Cloudy Memory ;The Struggle. (49:26)
Personnel: Sarah Elizabeth Charles, voice; Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, trumpet; Jesse Elder, keyboards; Burniss Earl Travis II, bass; John Davis, drums.
