David Murray Octet - Home

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:53
Size: 84,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:01)  1. Home
(6:51)  2. Santa Barbara And Crenshaw Follies
(6:11)  3. Choctaw Blues
(9:14)  4. Last Of The Hipmen
(8:35)  5. 3-D Family

Although David Murray has recorded in many different settings throughout his busy career, his octet has always been perfect for his talents. More disciplined than his big band, yet containing more tone colors than his smaller combos, the octet allowed Murray to be exploratory yet occasionally look backwards. This set, his second with the band, has quite an all-star lineup: Murray on tenor and bass clarinet, altoist Henry Threadgill, trumpeter Olu Dara, cornetist Butch Morris, trombonist George Lewis, pianist Anthony Davis, bassist Wilber Morris and drummer Steve McCall. All of the brilliant players have their opportunities to make strong contributions to Murray's five originals (best known of which is "3-D Family"), and the leader's writing is consistently colorful and unpredictable. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/home-mw0000649670

Personnel:  David Murray – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Henry Threadgill – alto saxophone, flute, alto flute; Olu Dara – trumpet; Lawrence "Butch" Morris – cornet; George Lewis – trombone; Anthony Davis – piano; Wilber Morris – bass; Steve McCall – drums

Home

---

Olu Dara - Neighborhoods

Styles: Vocal, Cornet, Guitar
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:36
Size: 105,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:58)  1. Massamba
(4:54)  2. Neighborhoods
(4:45)  3. Herbman
(3:26)  4. Strange Things Happen Everyday
(3:50)  5. Bell & Ponce (At The Movie Show)
(4:09)  6. I See the Light
(3:57)  7. Out On the Rolling Sea
(4:30)  8. Bluebird
(3:18)  9. Used to Be
(4:10) 10. Red Ant (Nature)
(2:35) 11. Tree Blues

?Olu Dara used to be known as a melodic avant-garde cornetist, but in the 1990s he completely changed his musical identity, emerging as a singer and country blues guitarist. Strangely enough on this set, although he is pictured with a guitar, Dara does not play much guitar (other than on a couple solo pieces) and primarily focuses on singing, with his cornet making a few brief appearances. The music is mostly outside of jazz, more in the areas of pop, funk, reggae, and folk music. Unfortunately, the 11 performances (all but the traditional "Out on the Rolling Sea" are Dara originals) are not at all memorable, his singing is a bit mundane, and a guest spot for Cassandra Wilson on "Used to Be" is rather forgettable. The results are disappointing overall. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/neighborhoods-mw0000391886

Personnel: Olu Dara (vocals, cornet, wooden horn, harmonica, guitar); Coster Massamba (vocals, congas, cowbell, shekere); Cassandra Wilson (vocals); John Abrams (tenor saxophone); Rod Williams (piano, electric organ); Dr. John (Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Fredger "Said" Dupree (Wurlitzer electric piano); Kwatei Jones-Quartey, Ivan Ramirez (guitar); Alonza "Skip" Gardner (bass); Larry Johnson, Greg Bandy (drums); Cantrese Alloway, Terrill Joyner, Rucyl Mills (background vocals).

Neighborhoods

---

Olu Dara - In The World: From Natchez to New York

Styles: Vocal, Trumpet, Cornet And Guitar 
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:01
Size: 109,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:50)  1. Okra
(4:35)  2. Rain Shower
(3:36)  3. Natchez Shopping Blues
(4:00)  4. Your Lips
(5:48)  5. Harlem Country Girl
(3:14)  6. Zora
(4:45)  7. Young Mama
(3:04)  8. Bubber (If Only)
(3:32)  9. Father Blues
(5:02) 10. Jungle Jay
(4:31) 11. Kiane

?In the World: From Natchez to New York is certainly a surprise. Well known as a lyrical avant-garde cornetist, Olu Dara emerges here as an effective country-blues singer and guitarist. Fortunately, Dara does not neglect his cornet but the music is definitely much different than one might expect. The material, all written by Dara, deals with country life, difficulties with love, and survival in today's society, and includes a tribute to the vegetable and fruit peddlers of yesteryear ("Okra"). 

A few numbers feature other vocalists and storytellers, but overall the multi-talented Dara is the main voice (both vocally and instrumentally) throughout the fascinating and successful effort. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-world-from-natchez-to-new-york-mw0000032628  

Personnel: Olu Dara (vocals, trumpet, cornet, guitar, bass drum, percussion); Mayanna Lee (vocals); Nas (rap vocals); John Abrams (tenor saxophone); Rudy "Obadeli" Herbert (Hammond B-3 organ); Kwatei Jones-Quartey (acoustic & electric guitars, percussion, background vocals); Ivan Ramirez (electric guitar, guitar, background vocals); Alonzo Gardner (bass, background vocals); Greg Bandy (drums, percussion, background vocals); Richard James (congas); Melba Joyce, Joyce Malone, Cantrese Alloway, Darada David (background vocals)

In The World: From Natchez to New York

---