Beautiful beautiful work from David Murray – a follow-up to his initial Shakill's Warrior album, and done in a style that we like even better than the first! Don Pullen is a key part of the set – working here on fluid organ lines that are somewhere between the early Larry Young work on Blue Note and the later John Patton styles for the label – a perfect foil for Murray's straight and soulful blowing on the session. This blend of organ and tenor is really wonderful – and carried off with a near-perfect modal groove on most of the set, save for one or two numbers that get a bit bogged down in guitar work from quartet member Bill White. Titles include "Crazy Tales", "One For The Don", "For Cynthia", "The Sixth Sense", and "1529 Gunn Street". CD

David Murray on tenor saxophone, Dave Burrell on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Ralph Peterson Jr. on drums. CD

A really fantastic album from David Murray – a no-nonsense session that's a real return to the kind of fresh tenor genius he was bringing the world in the 80s! This is a set with a quartet that swings – and Murray blows tenor and a bit of bass clarinet with the kind of raspy warmth and imaginative soul that we especially love on some of his albums for the DIW label from back in the day – working with a quality that reminds us that despite a variety of different settings, and work both inside and outside over the years, Murray's just a hell of a saxophonist at heart – and can stretch out with a vibe that rivals old school giants like Dexter Gordon or Johnny Griffin! The rest of the group features Marta Sanchez on piano, Luke Stewart on bass, and Russell Carter on drums – and titles include "Shenzhen", "Come & Go", "Free Mingus", "Am Gone Get Some", "Francesca", and "Cycles & Seasons". CD

A great album from that time when David Murray was stepping back into more traditional modes of jazz, yet still really hanging on to his edge – performed by a group with Murray on tenor and bass clarinet, John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Ralph Peterson Jr on drums. Titles include "Heart To Heart", "Quads", "Red Car", "I Want To Talk About You", and "Morning Song". CD

Murray's tenor and bass clarinet are nicely set in a warm lyrical quartet with John Hicks, Ray Drummond, and Ed Blackwell. The record features some nice long tracks that have Murray playing mostly inside, but with enough soul and raw talent to keep things moving nicely. Titles include "Walter's Waltz", "Ming's Samba", and "Spooning". CD

Two fantastic cuts from a really unique group – both totally great! "Ninno" has almost a bossa sort of groove – tight drums from Questlove, warm organ from Ray Angry, and this searing, soulful tenor solo from the great David Murray! All those elements are in place on "5 Minute Joint" – but in a looser, very different way that's mighty nice! 7-inch, Vinyl record

The first-ever musical meeting of these three great players on record – and a set that seems to unlock very different qualities in their work! The music is often fiercely improvised, with drum work from Chad Taylor that resonates with all those tremendous talents that have only grown in recent years – but which are pushed to limits at points here – while David Murray delivers solos that are sometimes straight and soulful, but often have the sharper edges of his earlier material – especially when the piano of John Blum really seems to spur him on! In fact, it may well be Blum's presence here that's really guiding the group – and titles include "Germination", "Monk's Door", "Passage", "Hidden Thorns", "Creatural", and "Fractals". CD

Duets with Dave Burrell on piano and David Murray on tenor sax and bass clarinet. Tracks include "Daybreak", "Sketch #1", "Blue Hour" and "Qasbah Rendezvous". CD

A richly complex set from David Murray – and a record that offers up a much wider range of moods than some of his other sessions from the time! Some numbers have an angular, almost aggressive groove – one that comes from the presence of group members James Blood Ulmer on guitar and Lonnie Plaxico on bass – but other moments are a bit more introspective, and show the more soulful side of Murray's blowing – a great balance that makes the record a perfect illustration of his growing players at the time. Other group members include Don Pullen on piano and Marvin Smitty Smith on drums – and Murray plays both tenor and bass clarinet. All tracks are long, and titles include "Death", "David Mingus", "All The Things You Are", and "Tension". CD

Tenor sax and bass clarinet player's excellent series of Octet efforts for Black Saint in the 80s – a run of brilliant albums with lineups featuring Henry Threadgill, Olu Dara, Butch Morris, George Lewis, Anthony Davis, Bobby Bradford, Hugh Ragin, James Spaulding and other great players – 5 albums in a CD box set in the Complete Remastered Recordings On Black Saint & Soul Note series! It includes the Ming album from 1980, Home from '82, Murray's Steps (released in '83), New Life from '87 and Hope Scope from '91 – each in a cardboard sleeve with the original album art and each remastered. CD

Music from a hugely productive period in the life of saxophonist David Murray – so much so that this is the third volume of his wonderful recordings for the Black Saint/Soul Note label – and there's no dip at all in the quality of the music! Murray was awash in new ideas at this time – and the label gave him freedom to try out so many different formats for his music – which allowed David to really deliver on the promise he first brought to jazz during the New York loft jazz years of the 70s. Albums include The Healers – a beautiful set of duets with pianist Randy Weston; Live At Sweet Basil Vols 1 & 2 – which features Murray's ultra-hip large ensemble, with Steve Coleman, Craig Harris, Olu Darla, Baikida Carroll, Butch Morris, and Fred Hopkins; Children – an unusual date with James Blood Ulmer on guitar and Don Pullen on piano; Interboogieology – which features Butch Morris on cornet and Johnny Dyani on bass; and the Southern Bell album by the Clarinet Summit – which features Murray, Alvin Batiste, John Carter, and Jimmy Hamilton. Each album comes packaged in a tiny LP-styled sleeve, too! CD

A nicely gritty set from David Murray – proof that even at the height of his modern moments, he could also be a tenor talent with deeply-rooted traditions! The album's got a really wonderful feel – almost a tenor date from a few decades past, but with some slight edges that definitely mark it as a mid 80s recording – some odd twists and turns that you'd never find in previous years, and a sense of brooding that comes to the forefront as the album moves on – so that by the end of the record, things are definitely more outside than at the start. Murray's tenor is featured in a quartet that includes James Blood Ulmer on guitar, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Sunny Murray on drums – and titles include "Light Years", "Patricia", "Red Car", "Long Goodbye", and "Kareem". 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

Beautiful work from David Murray – a set that's perhaps a bit less polished than some of his other recent albums, but one that more than makes up for that with a richly soulful sound! The group has a loose, freewheeling feel at points – and Murray seems to ride their spirit strongly with some great tones on his tenor – those instantly-compelling sounds that first made his work grab us so many decades back, but which don't always show up in recent years. Murray plays bass clarinet too, but it's his tenor work that we really love here – and the quartet features Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Jaribu Shahid on bass, and Hamid Drake on drums. Most tracks are quite long, and filled with beautifully-spun solos – creative, rhythmic, and filled with life! Titles include "Dirty Laundry", "Banished", "Sacred Ground", "Murray's Steps", and "Waltz Again". CD

David Murray on tenor saxophone, Bobby Few on piano, Jean-Jacques Avenel on bass, and John Betsch on drums. CD

A classic set of loft jazz from a young David Murray – recorded during a European concert from 1976, with a sound that's looser and freer than Murray's later work! The group's a well-matched batch of players that includes Olu Dara on trumpe and fluglehorn, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Phillip Wilson on drums – working in a style that's warmly improvisational, yet still mostly rhythmic enough to swing. CD version is longer than the LP – and titles include "Joanne's Green Satin Dress", "Flowers For Albert", "Roscoe", and "Ballad For A Decomposed Beauty". CD

Features Hugh Ragin on trumpet, Jamaaladeen Tacuma on bass, Amiri Baraka on vocals and spoken word, and many others! CD

David Murray on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, Olu Dara on cornet, Bobby Broom and Daryl Thompson on guitar, Robert Irving III on synthesizer and organ, Darryl Jones on bass, Toby Williams on drums, and Kahil El'Zabar on percussion. CD

David Murray on tenor sax and bass clarinet – with John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Andrew Cyrille. CD

Features Fred Hopkins on bass, Andrew Cyrille on drums, and David Murray on tenor sax and bass clarinet. CD

Nice raw material from Murray's shaggy early days. The set's a batch of quartet tracks – with Lester Bowie, Fred Hopkins, and Phil Wilson joining Murray's tenor and soprano lead. Recorded at the Lower Manhattan Ocean Club, and packaged with some nice notes on the scene by Stanley Crouch. 6 numbers in all, including "Obe", "Nevada's Theme", "Bechet's Bounce","Let The Music Take You", "For Walter Norris" abd "Santa Barbara & Crenshaw Folies". CD

A trio of albums from the great David Murray! Ming is beautifully arranged work from David Murray – an important early large group recording, one that really helped point the way to some of his later genius! The session features Murray leading an all-star octet that includes Henry Threadgill on alto, Olu Dara on trumpet, Butch Morris on cornet, George Lewis on trombone, Anthony Davis on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Steve McCall on percussion. Tracks are a very hip set of original compositions that display an incredible range of soulful feeling and expression – and which open a door to a whole new chapter of Murray's career. Titles include "Ming", "Dewey's Circle", "Jasvan", "The Fast Life", and "The Hill". Sacred Ground is a beautifully spiritual set that really reminds us of the promise we first heard in his music decades ago! Murray's working here with a lean, soulful ensemble that includes Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Andrew Cyrille on drums – all in a groove that has plenty of sharp edges, but which is also nicely inside – very focused, and with a sense of depth that's really wonderful! All tracks are originals by Murray – penned with the sensitivity of an older soul jazz recording – and two numbers feature lyrics by Ishmael Reed, sung by Cassandra Wilson on guest vocals. Titles include "Sacred Ground", "Transitions", "Family Reunion", "The Prophet Of Doom", "Believe In Love", and "Banished". Lucky Four is a gentler set than some of David Murray's other US dates from the time – but in a really great way that nicely gets at the more sensitive side of his work on tenor and bass clarinet! There's a bit of a hardbop groove to the album, but also a bit more freedom too – a style that never goes that far out, but which reminds us through subtle cues that most of these players have a longer legacy in more avant-oriented work. The group features Dave Burrell on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums – and Burrell especially echoes a range of influences here – almost pulling from older eras of jazz in the way that Jaki Byard used to – an approach that's often echoed by Murray in his horn. Titles include "Valley Talk", "Chazz", "As I Woke", "Abel's Blissed Out Blues", "Sharing", and "As I Woke". CD

A surprisingly nice album of straight ahead tenor tracks from David Murray – playing here in a quartet with guitarist Stanley Franks, drummer Andrew Cyrille, and the great Don Pullen, who plays organ on the session! The album's not exactly in the classic soul jazz organ/tenor mode – but it is one of the few that Murray ever recorded, and it's quite interesting to hear him in this sort of a format. Plus, it was also one of the few recorded during that magic year of 1991 – when DIW really seemed to be getting things right, turning out some of the few truly genius albums in the history of the label. Titles include "Milano Strut", "Black February", "At The Cafe Central", "In The Spirit", and "High Priest". CD

David Murray on tenor sax and bass clarinet – with Fontella Bass on vocals, Hugh Ragin on trumpet, Jimane Nelson on Hammond B3 and piano, Stanley Franks on guitar, Clarence Pookie Jenkins on electric bass, Ranzell Merritt on drums, and Leopoldo F Flemming on percussion. CD

An album of spiritual tunes and spiritual themes – played by David Murray in a style that's quite similar to his work on the Deep River set! The format's a bit more traditional here, given the album's use of older themes from gospel music – but the core quartet of Dave Burrell, Fred Hopkins, and Ralph Peterson all work together with Murray's tenor to keep things fresh throughout. The album features 2 great originals by Dave Burrell – "Dave Blue" and "Abel's Blissed Out Blues" – plus versions of "Crucifixion", "Amazing Grace", and "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen". CD

David Murray always sounds great in a spare setting like this – and with Mal Waldron as his musical partner for a set of duets, you can bet that the album's pretty darn special! In a way, Murray seems to open up even more the less players he's got on a date – hitting new tones and new timings with his horn, as he stretches out in the open space with an inherently rhythmic sensibility – one that has him taking very different paths than other more free jazz oriented players might. Waldron's tone is wonderful too – and he's working on a Steinway here, recorded with a strong sense of echo that amplifies even the simplest turns of phrase nicely – creating lots of shimmering notes alongside Murray's tenor and bass clarinet. Most tracks are quite long, and titles include "Free For CT", "Silence", "Jean-Pierre", "Hurray For Herbie", "Soul Eyes", "All Too Soon", and "I Should Care". CD

Freewheeling duets between David Murray and Milford Graves – the former on tenor and bass clarinet, the latter on a nice range of percussion! There's an open, flowing feel to the record that really takes us back to Murray's initial moments of the 70s – an almost loft jazz looseness to the session that's quite a change from other Murray dates for DIW. Things get somewhat free at points, but both players have an inherently rhythmic structure that holds the work together – and titles include "Stated With Peace", "The Third Day", "Moving About", "Under & Over", "Essential Soul", and "Continuity". CD

With Hugh Ragin on trumpet and Craig Harris on trombone. CD

One of David Murray's most ambitious projects ever – and that's saying a lot, given the depth of the 150-plus albums in his recording career! As you'd guess from the title, the set's a tribute to the En Espanol albums by Nat King Cole from the early 60s – and like those gems, Murray's project is a trans-cultural outing that brings together his jazz roots with Cuban musicians, additional strings, and an occasional vocalist – all recorded in studios from Argentina, to Portugal, to France! There's still a nicely unified feel to the whole record, though – and there should be, given how long Murray has kept this musical vision in his heart – and honestly, the whole thing is one of the most impressive things he's recorded in years – not only a great reminder that he's got deep respect for many jazz traditions, but also that he can inflect his horn with rich flavors with effortless ease. Titles include "Quizas Quizas Quizas", "Black Nat", "Piel Canela", "Cachito", "Aqui Se Habla En Amor", and "El Bodeguero". US version features the bonus cut "El Chocolo"! CD

One of the greatest jazz voices on the bass clarinet – save perhaps for the late Eric Dolphy – working here in a wonderful batch of ballads and gentle groovers! The set's quite different from the usual jazz date to bear "ballads" in the title – as David Murray's not ruminating over standards with too much strings – and instead still works in a hip small combo mode that's filled with swing and soul. In fact, most tunes are hardly ballads in the traditional style – and just showcase a slightly gentler, more personal side of Murray's music – but one that still has plenty of darkness around the edges. The group's a quartet – with John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums – and tunes include "Portrait Of A Black Woman", "Waltz To Heaven", "Elegy For Fannie Lou", "Lyons Street", "Chazz", and "New Life". LP, Vinyl record album

David Murray on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, Bobby Bradford on cornet, Dave Burrell on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums. CD

A strong, soulful quartet album – and features John Hicks on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums! CD

Just David Murray on tenor and bass clarinet and Jack DeJohnette on drums and piano – plus a bit of bass work from Fred Hopkins on two tracks! CD

The first half of this disk is an interview with Murray. The second consists of recordings from the late 90's inlcuding "One World Family", "Gete", "Savon De Toilettes", "Don't Know What I'd Do Withoug The Lord" and "How I Got Over". CD

A gentler set than some of David Murray's other US dates from the time – but in a really great way that nicely gets at the more sensitive side of his work on tenor and bass clarinet! There's a bit of a hardbop groove to the album, but also a bit more freedom too – a style that never goes that far out, but which reminds us through subtle cues that most of these players have a longer legacy in more avant-oriented work. The group features Dave Burrell on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums – and Burrell especially echoes a range of influences here – almost pulling from older eras of jazz in the way that Jaki Byard used to – an approach that's often echoed by Murray in his horn. Titles include "Valley Talk", "Chazz", "As I Woke", "Abel's Blissed Out Blues", "Sharing", and "As I Woke". LP, Vinyl record album

A new life for the ideas of saxophonist David Murray – worked out here in an octet of top-shelf players! The sound is avant one minute, swinging the next – and carried off with a rich sense of jazz tradition that really marks the growing appreciation of roots in the 80s generation of the New York scene. Murray works with both tenor and bass clarinet – and the arrangements here are great – filled with colors that shift and slide along wonderfully, horns that really lift each others' spirits, and work together to find a bold new space in sound. Other group members include Baikida Carroll and Hugh Ragin on trumpets, Craig Harris on trombone, John Purcell on alto, Steve Colson on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums. Titles are all long – and include "Train Whistle", "Morning Song", "New Life", and "Blues In The Pocket". CD

Features James Spaulding on alto and flute, Craig Harris on trombone, and Hugh Ragin and Rasul Siddik on trumpet, Dave Burrell on piano, Wilber Morris on bass, and Tani Tabbal on drums. CD

One of David Murray's straighter sides from the early 80s – and exactly the kind of record to prove to the world that he could be a strong tenor traditionalist while still bringing an inventive sound to play! Murray's tone is deep and soulful, and often quite lyrical – set nicely in a quartet that features warm piano from John Hicks, bass from Reggie Workman, and drums from Ed Blackwell. The Workman/Blackwell component ensure that things still have an edge at times, even when swinging – and the tunes are a mix of Murray originals and a few standards. Titles include "Morning Song", "Light Blue Frolic", "Off Season", "Duet", "Body and Soul", and "Jitterbug Waltz". CD

A live album with Steve Coleman on alto saxophone, David Murray on tenor saxophone, Andy Milne on keyboards and piano, Reggie Washington on bass, and Gene Lake on drums. CD

Odean Pope's never sounded better – and this smoking trio set may well be one of the best illustrations of his power we've ever heard! There's a righteous focus to the record that grabs us right from the start – a bold, rich sound from his tenor that easily shows that Pope's well deserving of inclusion in a legacy that includes Archie Shepp, David Murray, and maybe even Pharoah Sanders – a voice on tenor that's incredibly clear and confident, yet filled with humanity too. Possibly, the setting of the record is what really lets Odean sparkle – an open trio with Lee Smith on bass and Billy Hart on drums – both players who have the same vibrancy as Pope, and who seem to work together with his spirit to really soar to the skies! A perfect tenor trio record – following in that Sonny Rollins/Village Vanguard legacy – with titles that include "Fresh Breeze", "The Garden Of Happiness", "Almost Like Part One", "12th Night", "You & Me", and "Good Question Two". CD

With Hamiet Bluiett, Olive Lake, David Murray, and John Purcell – on saxophones, clarinets, flutes, and bells! CD

Tremendous interplay on saxes from this ultra-hip combo – a legendary lineup that features David Murray, Oliver Lake, Hamiet Bluiett, and Julius Hemphill – all blowing hard on a variety of saxes! The sound here is possibly a bit more free at times than some of the quartet's other 80s albums – less trying to come up with a straighter jazz groove from a batch of horns, and instead more willing to let all the players soar out and express themselves freely. Many tracks definitely still have a sense of structure, but there's also a bit of a different feel here that we really like. Titles include "Steppin", "Bordertown", "Funny Paper", "Stick", "Hattie Wall", "My First Winter", and "Touchic". CD

Bold, brilliant horns from David Murray, Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, and Oliver Lake – on unusual versions of tunes that include "Let's Get It On", "For The Love Of Money", "Nemesis", "Night Train", "Messin With The Kid", and "Dock Of The Bay". CD

David Murray on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, Hamiet Bluiett on baritone saxophone and contra-alto clarinet, Oliver Lake on alto saxophone, John R Purcell on saxello, english horn, alto flute, and c flute, Chief Bey on African drums and vocals, Mor Thiam on African drums and vocals, and Mar Gueye on African drums and vocals. CD

Features an all-star lineup of David Murray, Hamiet Bluiett, Oliver Lake, and John Purcell on saxophones – plus Jack DeJohnette on drums and piano, and more percussion from Chief Bey, Okyerama Asante, and Titos Sompa! CD

Features Hamiet Bluiett, Arthur Blythe, Oliver Lake and David Murray – plus Amina Claudine Myers on organ and vocals from Fontella Bass! CD

A genius idea – almost like the World Sax Quartet, but even more groundbreaking, in that the group unites 2 older players (Alvin Batiste and Jimmy Hamilton) with 2 younger players from the forefront of modern jazz (John Carter and David Murray). The result is wonderful – a record that will forever change your expectations of the sound of the clarinet in jazz, and which shows that reed work from a variety of generations can be equally influential across a variety of scenes. Titles include "Clariflavors", "Groovin High", "Sticks & Bones", "Sweet Lovely", and "The Washington Square Park Episode". LP, Vinyl record album

The first album from the great Special Edition group of drummer Jack DeJohnette – a wickedly sharp record that's as equally tight on the reeds as it is on the drums! The album features brilliant work on tenor and bass clarinet from David Murray, and equally nice alto from Arthur Blythe – both criss-crossing and soaring out effortlessly in each others' company – amidst complex rhythmic impulses from DeJohnette on drums, and both bass and cello from Peter Warren. Jack also plays a bit of piano and melodica as well – and titles include "One For Eric", "Zoot Suite", "Central Park West", "India", and "Journey To The Twin Planet". LP, Vinyl record album

This may well be the record that gets everyone to sit up and take notice of the genius of saxophonist Isaiah Collier – as the set's got a far-reaching quality that's right up there with some of the most righteous jazz albums of the 70s, not to mention some of the bigger names of today's spiritual underground! The set features Collier in duets with percussionist Michael Shekwoaga Ode – on very long tracks that are free and open, but never too far out to have a sense of soul – maybe somewhere in the territory of the John Coltrane duets with Rashied Ali, but also embracing all the change that's taken place since then – including the excellent pairing of David Murray and Kahil El Zabar! Yet there's a sonic intensity here that's also very different – signaled on the first track, which features added work on gongs and bowls from Jimmy Chan – then carried throughout the album as Collier blows us away with the many voices he's able to channel – as is Ode, as the pair work together with a tremendous sense of new energy from tune to tune. The album's not just two confident cats pulling out their standard sounds for a pairing – and instead, the record's really got this sense of two fellow travelers exploring the farther reaches together – both great, but with Collier rising to a level that should soon have him mentioned in the same breath as musicians like David S Ware or Kamasi Washington – even though he might now be fresher than both. Titles include "Confessions Of The Heart", "Suns Of Mercury", "The Vessel Speaks", "Omniscient", "Hymn Love Beyond Compare", and "Bend Of The Universe". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful set of global jazz – recorded in Senegal by saxophonist Abdoulaye N'Diaye, but produced by David Murray, and featuring Murray on tenor, Dave Burrell on piano, and Hamid Drake on percussion! N'Diaye's tone on soprano, alto, and tenor is deep and rich – with strains of the same globalist expression coming through the horns of Gato Barbieri and Pharoah Sanders on their best Impulse recordings – set amidst very rhythmic passages that include a lot of extra percussion, and a bit of vocals from Tidiane Gaye. Titles include "Waktane", "Aduna", "Taoue", "Casa Leule", and "Cobb's Cat". CD

Beautiful spiritual soul jazz! Longineu Parsons is an obscure American trumpeter who's cut some supremely fantastic music over the past 20 years – most of it nearly impossible to find, until the release of this great compilation. Parsons has a style that can be likened to some of the Cannonball/Nat Adderley soul jazz collaborations of the early 70s, some of the later Lee Morgan albums on Blue Note, and mixed with freer sounds that he's absorbed from playing with folks like David Murray, Sun Ra, and Billy Harper. This set brings together lods of great tracks from Parson's self-titled 1980 album, plus the album Work Song, and another cassette-only release. If you're a bit worried about the sound, don't be – as the material feels like it was pulled from the vaults of some lost 70s label, instead of from a more recent imprint. Titles include "Funkin Around", "Spaced", "The Gathering", "Hannibal's March", "Passing Moment", "Search For The New Land", and "Take The High Road". Also features bonus remixes by Amalgamation Of Sounds and P'Taah! CD

A tremendous all-star tribute to the writings of Ishmael Reed – one that matches his visionary text with contributions from a whole host of jazz musicians and artists in other styles – all put together in the same spirit as the great Kip Hanrahan albums on the American Clave label at the time! As with some of Kip's projects, the mix of talents here is really incredible – as the set features organ and piano from Allen Toussaint, tenor from David Murray, trumpet from Lester Bowie and Olu Dara, guitar from Arto Lindsay and Taj Mahal, drums from Billy Hart, and congas from Milton Cardona – with readings of Reed's text by David Murray, Brenda Norton, Taj Mahal, Ejaye Tracey, and Ishmael himself! The combination of elements is wonderful, and really suits the spirit of the words – and titles include "Jes Grew", "Oakland Blues", "Dualism", and "Dualism (2)". LP, Vinyl record album

A major label set, but one that stays very true to the new ideals that James Blood Ulmer was trying to bring to jazz guitar at the time – a really revolutionary style that moves beyond simple genre conventions, and embraces a whole world of new ideas that would inspire others in the decade to come! Ulmer plays with a real frenzy at points – deep currents that reflect the bluesy touches of his early work in jazz organ combos, but given a skittish energy that reflects his association with the downtown crowd – and which was very fitting for his record with Rough Trade! The core group here features James, bassist Amin Ali, and drummer G Calvin Weston – and some tracks feature work from David Murray on tenor, Oliver Lake on alto, and Olu Dara on trumpet. Titles include "Timeless", "Pleasure Control", "Night Lover", "Happy Time", "Rush Hour", "Stand Up To Yourself", and "High Time". LP, Vinyl record album

David Murray on tenor sax & bass clarinet, Hamiet Bluiett on baritone sax, Oliver Lake on alto & soprano sax & Bgruce Williams on curved soprano & alto saxes. CD

One of their best ones, and a tight set of Ellington tracks that works perfectly with their multi-horn style. Oliver Lake, Julius Hemphill, Bamiet Bluiett, and David Murray split up the arrangements, and the tracks include "Lush Life", "Come Sunday", "Prelude To A Kiss", and 2 different versions of "Take The A Train". LP, Vinyl record album

The cover looks a bit punk rock, but the music here is all jazz – pulled from the great catalog of DIW Records – the groundbreaking imprint of Japan's Disk Union record stores! Back at the end of the 80s, the company really started to put its money where its heart was – and launched a series of recordings of artists who weren't getting their fair shake in the studio, or the sort of freedoms that DIW was allowing them! The label's approach often allowed for unique combinations, or different expressions than some of the more familiar work of some of their artists – which made for a stretch when we were joyously awaiting each new DIW release, and the sorts of surprises they would bring. This package is a well-selected batch of classics, with a strong focus on the label's commitment to the New York avant scene – all newly remastered – with titles that include "Tahah" by John Zorn Masada, "Burning Like Love" by James Blood Ulmer, "Kush" by Art Ensemble Of Chicago, "Autumn Leaves" by David S Ware, "Anaba Aozo" by Ayibobo featuring Jean-Paul Bourelly, "Deep River" by David Murray, "Spiritual" by Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, and "In Time" by Music Revelation Ensemble. CD

Seminal work from the New York avant scene of the mid 70s – an important series of recordings done by Alan Douglas, and sides that initially broke the creative spirit of the scene to a much wider audience! There's a loose, openly creative spirit to these recordings that's a marked change from the intensity of the New York avant recordings of the 70s – a maturity, and confidence, that's come from some of the players' previous work in avant scenes in Chicago, St Louis, and elsewhere – coming together in New York's limelight with some really amazing energy! This 3CD set brings together tracks from all 5 volumes of the original LPs – over 3 hours' of music, with work by players who include Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre and David Murray on tenors; Ken McIntyre, Marion Brown, Oliver Lake, Jimmy Lyons, and Byard Lancaster on alto saxes; Randy Weston, Anthony Davis, and Sonelius Smith on piano; Ted Daniel, Leo Smith, and Olu Dara on trumpet; Khan Jamal on vibes, George Lewis on trombone, Jerome cooper on percussion, and many others too! CD

A groundbreaking ensemble – akin to the World Saxophone Quartet, and no doubt inspired by their experiments at the same time. The difference, though, is the range of experience of the players – as the group features David Murray, Jimmy Hamilton, Alvin Batiste, and John Carter, all playing b-flat or bass clarinets. No other accompaniment is featured, and titles include "Fluffy's Blues", "Beat Box", "Perdido", and "Southern Bells". CD

McCoy Tyner on piano, Arthur Blythe on alto saxophone, David Murray on tenor saxophone, Ron Carter on bass, and Aaron Scott on drums. CD