Speaking in Tongues

Amazon.com
Imagine your favorite jazz musicians finishing a furious all-night jam in a Harlem nightclub on Saturday night, and continuing the improvisational inspirations in a black church down the block! That's the vibe on this soul-stirring release from David Murray, with special guest Fontella Bass, the immortal voice behind the '60s hit "Rescue Me." Backed by keyboardist Jimane Nelson, bassist Clarence "Pookie" Jenkins, trumpeter Hugh Ragin, drummer Ranzell Merritt, and percussionist Leopoldo F. Fleming, Murray's deep, throaty tenor cries and bellowing bass clarinet reveal the many facets of his African American musical roots: from Coltrane to the congregation. Murray and company's Baptist-bop-Muscle Shoals take on the spirituals "A Closer Walk with Thee," "Blessed Assurance," "Amazing Grace," "Don't Know What I'd Do," and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" inhabit the proverbial crossroad that separates sacred music from jazz. Bass's convictional contralto colors the pop-gospel hit "How I Got Over" with feeling, while "Jimane's Creation" and "Missionary"--two compositions penned by Nelson and Murray--feature beautiful hymnlike piano chords, inspired vocalise, and a Mt. Zion meets Motown rhythm. With Murray's stratospheric solos and Bass's faithful testimonials, this CD proves that God comes in many grooves. --Eugene Holley Jr.

From Jazziz
Where are the borders that divide gospel from R&B, and R&B from jazz? David Murray poses this question with an album featuring gospel singer Fontella Bass (famous for her '60s R&B hit Rescue Me) and a strong air of tradition. Of the CD's eight cuts, only the funky Missionary is a Murray original; five are traditional gospel songs, and Jimane's Creation is by session organist Jimane Nelson. But the whole project is a genuine, joyful, cliché-free effort. The thick organ sound and funky rhythms are often reminiscent of Murray's 1991 triumph, Shakill's Warrior. Bass' vocals are powerful and rich throughout the disc, even in soft vocalese on Jimane's Creation. Murray is often content to play a supporting role, letting Bass, Nelson, and trumpeter Hugh Ragin claim the spotlight, especially on the trumpet-piano duet, Blessed Assurance, and on A Closer Walk With Thee. When Murray does step to the front, though, his famous force and fireworks come blasting back in a hurry. His bass-clarinet rendition of Amazing Grace, with its Dolphy-esque vocalizations and smooth arpeggios, is one of the disc's highlights. This project may seem conservative to some Murray fans, but it's really an inspired collaboration between two gigantic sets of lungs, and well worth an Amen.

Speaking in Tongues,David Murray,Justin Time Records,Avant-Garde Jazz,Free Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop

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