You Know the Number is another outstanding record from the Henry Threadgill Sextet. Over the course of six originals, Threadgill and the band fuse complex and spirited arrangements with incisive solo work. The material includes the calypso-inspired numbers "To Be Announced" and "Bermuda Blues" (one of Threadgill's most straightforward compositions), as well as the bittersweet ballad "Silver and Gold Baby, Silver and Gold." Other songs, like "Theme From Thomas Cole" and "Those Who Eat Cookies," feature the kind of buoyant, march-like rhythms and spastic, cartoon soundtrack horn arrangements Threadgill favored. Throughout the set, the band revels in some lively New Orleans-style unison playing and contributes excellent solos (special mention should go to trumpeter Rasul Saddik for his adept and blazing solos, and also to drummers Pheeroan Aklaff and Reggie Nicholson for their propulsive and tight rhythmic support). As usual, Threadgill's solos include an intriguing mix of dark pathos and intensity, while bassist Fred Hopkins and trombonist Frank Lacy follow suit with intriguing contributions of their own. This title is a must for Threadgill fans and also worthwhile for those interested in the experimental side of jazz. - Stephen Cook
Tracks
01. Bermuda Blues
02. Silver And Gold Baby, Silver And Gold
03. Theme From Thomas Cole
04. Good Times
05. To Be Announced
06. Paille Street
07. Those Who Eat Cookies
FRED HOPKINS bass
DIEDRE MURRAY cello
PHEEROAN AKLAFF percussion
REGGIE NICHOLSON percussion
HENRY THREADGILL alto & tenor saxophones, bass flute
FRANK LACY Frank Lacy
RASUL SADIK trumpet
All music arranged and composed by Henry Threadgill
Recorded October 12-13, 1986
Novus 3013-2-N