Split Image by Mark Helias

This recording is my first album as a leader and documents some of my compositions from the late 70's into the 80's. Recorded on August 29,1984 and originally released in 1985, the album features great young (at the time ) musicians, all of whom went on to important careers as band leaders, composers and performers. Also contributing to the proceedings on two tracks is Dewey Redman, a beloved friend of mine who gave me an opportunity and education by asking me to play in his band from 1978 to 1983. This record was only released on vinyl, as I recall, so there is some surface noise on the tracks which in my opinion does not detract from the quality of the listening experience.
It was seminal recording for me and also witnesses some early recorded performances of Tim Berne, Herb Robertson and Gerry Hemingway. It is also paramount in my mind to have this document out in the world so people can hear the genius and soul-fullness of tenor saxophonist, Dewey Redman. Every time he played he told a story; and had a tone for the ages. He was also one of the funniest, sweetest and gentle men that I have had the privilege to have known. The session came about because Jon Rosenberg, the recording engineer (who, by the way, was at the beginning of his career) was working at a recording studio run by some sketchy guys who hadn't paid him as he should have been and allowed him to record projects in the off hours. This was a standard practice in the 1980's at many of the good studios one could find in New York. Tim Berne suggested to me that with the studio available I should, perhaps, go in and make a record. We had been performing as a quartet in that period so the music was ready to go. I asked Dewey to come in and do two pieces so I could have three horns and his unique voice. The session went very well and we had a good time. In preparing this recording for re-release I had the opportunity to listen from the vantage point thirty-six years hence. It still holds up to my ear and I am gratified to offer it to those interested. Enjoy.

Mark Helias
2020

Mark Helias is a renowned bassist, composer and producer who has performed throughout the world for more than four decades with some of the most important and innovative musicians in Jazz and Improvised Music including Don Cherry, Edward Blackwell, Anthony Davis, Dewey Redman, Anthony Braxton, Abbey Lincoln, Cecil Taylor, and Uri Caine.
Sixteen albums of his music have been released since 1984.