Fast Life (David Murray album)
Occupation
- Tenor Saxophone: David Murray, Branford Marsalis ( 1)
- Piano: John Hicks
- Bass: Ray Drummond
- Drums: Idris Muhammad
Fast Life is a jazz album of the David Murray Quartet with guest soloist Branford Marsalis. The recorded in New York City on 16 and October 17, 1992 session was released in 1993 on the label DIW Records, distributed by Columbia Records.
The album
After his early years in avant-garde projects with Johnny Dyani, Fred Hopkins, Sunny Murray or Lawrence " Butch" Morris, the saxophonist David Murray turned since the mid- 1980s, more of the jazz tradition; after a series of recordings for smaller labels like has way India Navigation and Black Saint, he began with recordings for the Japanese label DIW in duo, quartet, octet to big-band instrumentation in 1986. Created until 1996 26 albums for this label.
His quartet - production in October 1991 was extended for two titles to a quintet. Murray had been three years earlier recorded the album Ming's Samba with pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Ed Blackwell. Blackwell had on the - participated DIW album Death of a sideman, was at this time but in a very compromised health ( he died in August 1992) - also incurred in October. For him, Idris Muhammad came to Murray's rhythm section.
For the first track of the album, Dave Burrell's " Crucificado " Murray moved, add the tenor saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The dance seemingly over ten minute piece begins rather conventionally, to then hochzuschrauben in common improvisations of the two tenor; in the opinion of Cook / Morton it offers Murray and Branford Marsalis an unexpectedly ample space for similarities. The subsequent Calypso " Calle Estrella " is - like its predecessor " Ming's Samba" ( on the eponymous album of 1988) - inspired initially to Sonny Rollins. Idris Muhammad has a solo here.
Abstract designed the twelve-minute title track " Fast Life ," which begins with a long solo Murray and Überblas effects reminiscent of the free play of his early years; after a short collective improvisation with Marsalis returns Murray back to the topic and John Hicks is his solo on. For the rest of the piece Ray Drummond and Idris Muhammad have successively opportunity to present, until finally Murray with short threads finished playing the piece.
The rather straight ahead again played in medium tempo composition " Luminous" comes from John Hicks wife Elise Wood; initially John Hicks has an extensive solo until David Murray followed with an interpretation of the theme. This is followed by the catchy ballad " intuitively " from the pen of Dave Murray's colleagues Burrell. The album ends with a song by the band leader, the built-up on a simple riff - figure " Off Season ". After his extended solo John Hicks and Ray Drummond will have another opportunity to introduce himself as a soloist.
Album Review
The authors Richard Cook and Brian Morton awarded the album in the Penguin Guide to Jazz the highest rating, and note that David Murray's October session marked the end of a productive month. Especially the two contributions of Branford Marsalis fit surprisingly into the conception and execution of Murray's album. The band leader myself play sharp as a shark, is moving ever onwards and feure at a speed constantly from new ideas that make a marvel in disbelief. Finally, the authors highlight the under -rated drummer Idris Muhammad wrongly.
In his review of the album at Allmusic, where the album was provided with only three stars, Scott Yanow Fast Life described as a mixed bag; Although David Murray was at his best in two of his straight -ahead pieces played, Luminous and Off Season, but the two titles in which Branford Marsalis toured, were erratic ( erratic ) produced; with lengthy solos of the two tenors and a lot of aimless energy. Wrapped up in this production is still a Calypso and lightweight intuitively.
According to the critic of the Los Angeles Times, the pieces would reflect the urban pace, especially the frantic - frantic title track. The lingering mixture of the two tenor saxophonists was great in their intensity. Fast Life is a wonderfully witty addition to Murray's now extensive catalog. Its strong, " talkin' -to -ya " style on tenor was packed with unexpected jumps and somersaults; accompanied by Ray Drummond, Idris Muhammad and John Hicks he had the best opportunity to present themselves; the pianist light truly on with his solo on " Luminous".
The title of the album
- David Murray Quartet 1: Fast Life (DIW / Columbia 474711-2 )
- Branford Marsalis is to listen only to Titles 1 and 3.