Cut during a ten-year run on the Italian Soul Note label, Billy Bang's The Fire From Within nicely shows off the violinist's unique approach to post-bop jazz from swingers to ballads, trad to free. Bang also demonstrates his very original Latin touch, highlighting cuts like "Nagual Julian" and "The New Seers" with shades of bolero moodiness and mambo syncopation. Throughout the set -- all Bang originals -- a dusky hue predominates, whether on the up-tempo opener, "The Glow of Awareness," or a beautifully spacious ballad like "The Shift Below." Chalk part of this up to the psychedelic adventures of Carlos Castaneda, whose peyote-submerged accounts of the Yaqui Indians' herbal alchemy inspired Bang. Beyond the transcendent music, Bang pays homage by naming each song after one of the author's chapter titles. Adding to the heady atmosphere, trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah, marimba player Thurman Barker, and bassist William Parker ply their talents on several standout solos. A perfect entrée for Billy Bang newcomers. - Stephen Cook
Tracks
1. The Glow Of Awareness
2. The Nagual Julian
3. The Shift Below
4. Petty Tyrants
5. The New Seers
6. The Mold Of Man
7. Inorganic Beings
BILLY BANG violin
WILLIAM PARKER bass
JOHN BETSCH drums, percussion
OSCAR SANDEES guitar
THURMAN BAKER marimba
AHMED ABDULLAH trumpet
All music composed by Billy Bang
Recorded September 19 and 29, 1984 at Vanguard Studios, New York
Soul Note - SN 1086 CD