Murray's fronting a big band led by Butch Morris – a group that sounds a lot better to our ears than most of Morris' own larger groups of the time, possibly because of the style of the recording. The tracks shift mood, tone, and approach with each number – working out references to some spiritual leaders, and forging new ground on a few of the more adventurous numbers. Murray's horn is in the lead mostly – but the interplay with the rest of the group is pretty incredible at times. Players include Fred Hopkins, Sonelius Smith, James Spaulding, John Purcell, Craig Harris, Vincent Chaney, and Don Byron – and titles include "Istanbul", "Lovejoy", "Calling Steve McCall", "Paul Gonsalves", and "Lester". CD

Murray's fronting a big band led by Butch Morris – a group that sounds a lot better to our ears than most of Morris' own larger groups of the time, possibly because of the style of the recording. The tracks shift mood, tone, and approach with each number – working out references to some spiritual leaders, and forging new ground on a few of the more adventurous numbers. Murray's horn is in the lead mostly – but the interplay with the rest of the group is pretty incredible at times. Players include Fred Hopkins, Sonelius Smith, James Spaulding, John Purcell, Craig Harris, Vincent Chaney, and Don Byron – and titles include "Istanbul", "Lovejoy", "Calling Steve McCall", "Paul Gonsalves", and "Lester". CD

A really bold step forward for David Murray – a seminal live recording that features one of the hippest big bands you'll ever hope to find! Murray really uses the date as a chance to express the full range of his musical talents – and often shows modes that are more traditional than you might expect, yet which are always touched with an undercurrent of modernism! The musical palette here is quite different than either the outside or inside sessions recorded by Murray with a small group at the time – and he really reaches back through a rich history of jazz in the performance, and updates it wonderfully with help from players who include Baikida Carroll on trumpet, Olu Dara on cornet, Craig Harris on trombone, Vincent Chaney on French horn, Steve Coleman on alto and soprano sax, Rod Williams on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Butch Morris conducts – and titles on this first volume include "Lovers", "Bechet's Bounce", "Silence", and "Duet For Big Band". CD

A really bold step forward for David Murray – a seminal live recording that features one of the hippest big bands you'll ever hope to find! Murray really uses the date as a chance to express the full range of his musical talents – and often shows modes that are more traditional than you might expect, yet which are always touched with an undercurrent of modernism! The musical palette here is quite different than either the outside or inside sessions recorded by Murray with a small group at the time – and he really reaches back through a rich history of jazz in the performance, and updates it wonderfully with help from players who include Baikida Carroll on trumpet, Olu Dara on cornet, Craig Harris on trombone, Vincent Chaney on French horn, Steve Coleman on alto and soprano sax, Rod Williams on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Butch Morris conducts – and titles on this first volume include "Lovers", "Bechet's Bounce", "Silence", and "Duet For Big Band". LP, Vinyl record album

A really bold step forward for David Murray – a seminal live recording that features one of the hippest big bands you'll ever hope to find! Murray really uses the date as a chance to express the full range of his musical talents – and often shows modes that are more traditional than you might expect, yet which are always touched with an undercurrent of modernism! The musical palette here is quite different than either the outside or inside sessions recorded by Murray with a small group at the time – and he really reaches back through a rich history of jazz in the performance, and updates it wonderfully with help from players who include Baikida Carroll on trumpet, Olu Dara on cornet, Craig Harris on trombone, Vincent Chaney on French horn, Steve Coleman on alto and soprano sax, Rod Williams on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Butch Morris conducts – and titles on this second volume include "Dewey's Circle", "Roses", "David Tune", "Four Minute Marvin", and "Great Peace". LP, Vinyl record album