The emphasis is on color and sound on this spirited avant-garde album. Four of the five selections feature the adventurous tenor of Frank Lowe with trumpeter Lester Bowie, trombonist Joseph Bowie, cellist Abdul Wadud and either Steve Reid or Bob Shaw on drums. They perform two Lowe originals and two pieces by Thelonious Monk; these renditions are full of surprises and contrasts. In addition, Lowe is heard with an unknown group of local musicians called "the Memphis Four" on "Chu's Blues" in 1974. Open-eared listeners should find this set to be quite stimulating. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Epistrophy (Kenny Clarke/Thelonious Monk)
2. Play Some Blues (Frank Lowe)
3. Fresh (Frank Lowe)
4. Misterioso (Thelonious Monk)
5. Chu's Blues (Frank Lowe)
FRANK LOWE tenor saxophone
ABDUL WADUD cello
STEVE REID drums (1)
CHARLES BOBO SHAW drums (2-4)
JOSEPH BOWIE trombone (1-4)
LESTER BOWIE trumpet
SELENE FUNG wind shaeng
Recorded March 7, 1975 at Blue Rock Studios, New York City.
Track 5 recorded in September 1974 at Free Tone Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
Black Lion Records - BLCD760214 / Freedom Records - FLP 41015