Arthur Blythe - Blythe Spirit

Styles:  Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:16
Size: 91,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:55)  1. Contemplation
(6:40)  2. Faceless Woman
(6:26)  3. Reverence
(2:45)  4. Strike Up the Band
(7:26)  5. Misty
(3:32)  6. Spirits in the Field
(5:28)  7. Just a Closer Walk with Thee

This is one of the most well-rounded Arthur Blythe records from his Columbia period. The distinctive altoist performs three passionate originals and an unlikely version of "Strike Up The Band" with a quintet also including cellist Abdul Wadud, guitarist Kelvyn Bell, Bob Stewart on tuba and drummer Bobby Battle. In addition he is featured on "Misty" with a more conventional trio (pianist John Hicks, bassist Fred Hopkins and drummer Steve McCall), plays his "Spirits In The Field" with Wadud and Stewart, and is quite effective on a reverent but swinging rendition of "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" with Stewart and organist Amina Claudine Myers. One of many Columbia LP's long overdue to be reissued on CD, this is a fairly definitive Arthur Blythe recording, showing off his links to hard bop, r&b and the avant-garde. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/blythe-spirit-mw0000868583

Personnel:  Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone; Abdul Wadud - cello; Kelvyn Bell - electric guitar; Bob Stewart - tuba; Bobby Battle - drums; John Hicks - piano; Fred Hopkins - acoustic bass; Steve McCall - drums; Amina Claudine Myers - organ

Blythe Spirit

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