Guitarist James Blood Ulmer, whose "harmolodic" approach has given him a reputation as one of the most radically inventive artists on the jazz scene today, leads this eclectic ensemble through a set that combines elements of rock, blues, funk and free jazz. Bassist Amin Ali and drummer Cornell W. Rochester complete the regular cast, while saxophonists Arthur Blythe, Sam Rivers and Hamiet Bluiett all make guest appearances.
Innovative multi-percussionist Kahil El'Zabar composes, arranges and conducts an incredible new album. It features masterful performances by the (late, great) Hamiet Bluiett, Corey Wilkes, Tomeka Reid & the James Sanders String Qt. A strong percussion section is complimented by strings and brass, in a powerful blend of spiritual groove, melody and improvisation - an inspired re-imagining of a 'better' way, parallel to the central message of this album. America the Beautiful is Kahil El'Zabar's musical testament to the state of affairs, expressed with love, urgency, hope & spirit.
Several editions of Beaver Harris' 360 [Degree] Music Experience have been documented, though sporadically and not always with the care the drummer's ambitiously conceived endeavors deserve. A Well Kept Secret, the first release on Hal Willner's Shemp label, has a horrifyingly handsome Ralph Steadman-illustrated cover, good sound, and substantial contributions from main soloist Pullen, all members of the seemingly larger sextet, and arranger/french horn player Sharon Freeman. She charted Gorйe, a 17-minute suite named for the tiny isle off Senegal where ships boarded slaves for the New World.
This 2-CD set takes the 1974 album Mingus At Carnegie Hall (Atlantic) and adds seventy minutes of previously unissued material recorded at the same concert.
Mingus led many great bands during his career, but those from the the late 1950s and early 1960s have tended to be perceived as representing his belle epoque, overshadowing some equally outstanding later aggregations. One of these is Mingus' mid 1970s quintet with trumpeter Jack Walrath, tenor saxophonist George Adams, pianist Don Pullen and drummer Dannie Richmond, who are featured on the 1975 portion of the Bremen set. The previous year, Mingus led a sextet including Adams, Pullen and Richmond, in which Jon Faddis was the trumpeter and Hamiet Bluiett played baritone saxophone…
This is one of trumpeter Lester Bowie's most accessible albums…