DAVID MURRAY OCTET
Octet Plays Trane (Justin Time)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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David Murray began recording at the age of 20 in 1976, and now, at 44, he's one of the most prolific artists on the jazz scene. Good thing he's so well worth hearing! The tenor sax/bass clarinetist leads the most exciting octet on the planet in a mission to explore the works of John Coltrane and present them in a way that emphasizes the energetic spirit of the originals without Xeroxing them.

The disc opens, appropriately, with "Giant Steps," a piece with music to challenge the Octet and a title that states their respect for the task at hand. Trane's melody is joyfully shared in vibrant harmonies between Murray, Craig Harris (trombone), Ravi Best (trumpet), James Spaulding (alto sax) and Rasul Siddik (trumpet), tight in some respects but loose enough to allow each player flashes of his own unique talent. The high energy of this piece contrasts deliciously with the dark, ethereal beauty of "India," with all it's spaciousness and slow, haunting vibe.

Along the spectrum between those extremes is a very well-chosen collection of Trane's tunes and Murray's moods, from the sweet soulfulness of "Naima" to the playful swing of "Lazy Bird" to the grandeur of "A Love Supreme," the latter of which is 15:21 of adventurous harmonic leaps and rhythmic perfection. D.D. Jackson (piano), Jaribu Shahid (bass) and Mark Johnson (drums) round out this incredible octet that will surely have their records played in jazz appreciation classes a hundred years from now. It's playing here just about every day.

Track List:

Giant Steps * Naima * The Crossing * India * Lazy Bird * A Love Supreme: Part I - Acknowledgement

© 2000 - DJ Johnson