High Ride

Op.85 1988

David Hellewell

There’s an expression in modern jazz ‘ride’ which denotes a fast. up-tempo cool rhythm ,which (in the best hands!) rides along like a fast and lithesome jaguar - there’s even a ‘ride’ cymbal to accompany and hold this speedy rhythm. Such is HIGH RIDE, a substantial and sophisticated piece of cool yet powerful dynamism. There are are vast contrasts of dynamics and dynamism, but always in the grip of the underlying fast and exiting rhythm. Towards he end there is a short, but massive, chunk of “Charleston” - a reference to a an early 20thC dynamic and hedonistic dance form which swept the West in this early “Jazz Age”.