Ming (album)
Ming is an album by David Murray released in 1980 on the Italian Black Saint label and the first to feature his Octet. It features performances by Murray, Henry Threadgill, Olu Dara, Lawrence "Butch" Morris, George Lewis, Anthony Davis, Wilber Morris and Steve McCall.[1]
Ming | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1980 | |||
Recorded | July 25 & 28 1980 | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 39:32 | |||
Label | Black Saint | |||
David Murray Octet chronology | ||||
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Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Penguin Guide to Jazz | [2] |
Allmusic | [3] |
Robert Christgau | A [4] |
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [5] |
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide said, "both Ming and Home display an excellent balance between written material and solos by a distinguished group of sidemen".[5]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested Core Collection.[2]
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 5 stars, stating, "His octet was always the perfect setting for tenor saxophonist David Murray, large enough to generate power but not as out of control as many of his big-band performances. Murray contributed all five originals (including "Ming" and "Dewey's Circle") and arrangements, and is in superior form on both tenor and bass clarinet. The "backup crew" is also quite notable: altoist Henry Threadgill, trumpeter Olu Dara, cornetist Butch Morris, trombonist George Lewis, pianist Anthony Davis, bassist Wilbur Morris, and drummer Steve McCall. These avant-garde performances (reissued on CD) are often rhythmic enough to reach a slightly larger audience than usual, and the individuality shown by each of these major players is quite impressive. Recommended.".[3]
Track listing
All compositions by David Murray
- "The Fast Life" – 8:54
- "The Hill" – 10:39
- "Ming" – 4:28
- "Jasvan" – 8:51
- "Dewey's Circle" – 6:36
- Recorded at Right Track Recording Studios, NYC, July 25 & 28,1980
Personnel
- David Murray – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
- Henry Threadgill – alto saxophone
- Olu Dara – trumpet
- Lawrence "Butch" Morris – cornet
- George Lewis – trombone
- Anthony Davis – piano
- Wilber Morris – bass
- Steve McCall – drums
References
- Black Saint catlogue
- Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008) [1992]. "David Murray". The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (9th ed.). New York: Penguin. p. 1059. ISBN 978-0-14-103401-0.
- Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed July 4, 2011
- Christgau, Robert. accessed January 7, 2013
- Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 150. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.