About
Tony Williams opens "Survival of the Fittest" with a drum statement that immediately establishes the most adventurous track on Herbie Hancock's 1965 Maiden Voyage album. His playing at approximately 274 BPM sets the performance's intense, exploratory character from the first measure, his polyrhythmic inventiveness creating a framework of pure rhythmic energy. As the first soloist, Williams's opening drum passage signals that this track will push beyond the album's more structured modal compositions into territory approaching the free jazz movement. His drumming throughout the album with the Miles Davis rhythm section was simultaneously redefining the possibilities of jazz accompaniment.
Tony Williams was 19 to 20 years old at the time.
Comments
What do you think of this solo?