Dave Burrell Recital

Both underappreciated masters of jazz improvisation, Odean Pope and pianist Dave Burrell dish up some beautiful music throughout the nine original compositions found on this disk. This may seem like a somewhat subdued set for the label and these two giants, but anyone who has followed their careers knows that, although both musicians are identified as players pushing the edge, neither one of these fellows is a scorcher…

This duet set by pianist Dave Burrell and David Murray (heard on tenor and bass clarinet) is mostly quite relaxed, surprisingly melodic in spots, and explorative but in subtle ways. Burrell's style both looks backward toward stride (and on "New Orleans Blues" to Jelly Roll Morton) and toward the future in its freedom…

Dave Burrell - After Love (1970) {America Records 067 867-2 rel 2004}
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© 1970, 2004 America Records / EmArcy / Universal | 067 867-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Piano

Pianist and composer Dave Burrell's After Love was the seventh release on the French America Records imprint, a label dedicated to recording the works of American expatriates in Europe. A vanguard label from the outset, it documented the work of players like the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Anthony Braxton, Archie Shepp, Steve Lacy, and many others. After Love is made up of the title track – a long 30-minute-composition in two parts – and "March." The band is a compelling and provocative one. While Roscoe Mitchell is featured on reeds, there are two bass players – Ron Miller (who also plays mandolin) and Michel Gladieux. Alan Silva, normally a bassist, plays cello, (electric and acoustic) and violin.

Dave Burrell & David Murray - In Concert (1992) {VICTO cd016}
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© 1992 Les Disques Victo ‎| VICTO CD 016
Jazz / Avant-garde Jazz / Post Bop / Piano / Saxophone

This set by longtime collaborators Dave Burrell and David Murray (playing exclusively tenor sax here) was recorded at the Victoriaville Festival in Quebec in 1991. The live sound is good, the performances exceptional (even by their standards), and the compositions chosen are perfect in a duet setting. But none of these things are what make this recording so special. What is truly astonishing is the almost telepathic understanding that exists between these two men every time they play. This pair has worked together off and on since the late '70s and recorded together fairly often since the early '80s.

Dave Burrell has long had a highly original style on piano, not quite outside but far from conventional. This CD reissues a trio set with bassist Sirone and either Bobby Kapp or Sonny Murray on drums. Most intriguing is a 19½-minute "West Side Story Medley" that features Burrell playing many of the songs from Leonard Bernstein's work in abstract fashion. There is also the lengthy "East Side Colors," five brief (around three-minutes apiece) versions of five of Burrell's originals and the "Theme Stream Medley" which has reprises of the five songs plus a sixth piece ("Inside Ouch"). This interesting set rewards repeated listenings.

One of the last truly outside albums recorded by Archie Shepp in the 70s – a French performance that's very similar to the open-ended, freely-blown recordings he did for the BYG/Actuel label a few years before! The record captures Shepp in territory that's different than some of the more structured recordings and sets of standard material he'd soon be giving the world – and he blows tenor with unbridled energy on long live tracks – working with a very cool group that includes the great Charles Greenlee on trombone, plus Dave Burrell on piano, Cameron Brown on bass, and Beaver Harris on drums! The band plays with a perfect style that matches freer soloing with soulful modal rhythms – and as a French-only release, it's one of the more obscure Archie Shepp sessions from the period. Titles include "Hipnosis", "U-Jaama", "African Drum Suite", and the amazing "Blues For Don L Duck".