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Black Ark (limited numbered pressing)

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Quite possibly the strongest moment of genius ever from saxophonist Noah Howard – a legendary album that captures the altoist at the height of his powers! The 1969 session was recorded at a time when Howard's contemporaries were making big noise overseas – but the date finds Noah at home in New York, working with a lineup that includes Arthur Doyle on tenor, Earl Cross on trumpet, Leslie Waldron on piano, Norris Jones on bass, and Mohammed Ali on drums – all in a groove that's a perfect link between the avant sound of Shepp and Ayler in the 60s, and some of the rougher modes of the loft jazz scene to come! Howard's got a great way of stating a theme on these tunes – a manner that has the group in very cohesive formation at the beginning, often with righteous overtones – then opening up freely in the ensuing space with some incredibly bold solos. The whole thing's amazing – a US date that easily matches, if not beats, the brilliance of the best BYG/Actual generation overseas – and titles include "Domiabra", "Ole Negro", "Mount Fuji", and "Queen Anne". (Limited numbered pressing – with insert!)  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.