On the first half of this superb program ("Woody I,""Woody II," and "Woody III"), Shaw, one of the finest trumpeters of the '70s and '80s, heads a 12-piece group featuring such sidemen as tenor saxophonist Carter Jefferson, trombonists Steve Turre and Curtis Fuller, altoist James Spaulding, and pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs. The second half has a pair of other Shaw originals ("To Kill a Brick" and "Organ Grinder") plus bassist Clint Houston's "Escape Velocity." For the latter performances, Shaw (who doubles on flügelhorn and cornet for the date) is showcased with groups ranging from a quartet to a sextet. He is in peak form throughout, and the strong compositions (along with some adventurous solos) make this one of Woody Shaw's most essential recordings. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Woody I: On The New Ark
2. Woody II: Other Paths
3. Woody III: New Offerings
4. To Kill A Brick
5. Organ Grinder
6. Escape Velocity (Clint Houston)
WOODY SHAW cornet, flugelhorn
CLINT HOUSTON bass
VICTOR LEWIS drums
ONAJE ALLAN GUMBS piano (1-3)
CARTER JEFFERSON tenor saxophone (1-3)
JAMES SPAULDING alto saxophone, flute
RENE McLEAN soprano saxophone (1, 2), alto saxophone flute (3)
BUSTER WILLIAMS bass (1-3)
AZZEDIN WESTON congas (1), percussion (3)
NOBU URUSHIYAMA percussion (1, 3)
CURTIS FULLER trombone (1-3)
GEORGE CABLES piano (5)
STEVE TURRE bass trombone (1, 2)
All music composed by Woody Shaw, except as indicated
Recorded August 1978 at C.I. Recording Studios and CBS Studios, New York
Columbia JC 35977 in 1979.
Wounded Bird Records – WOU 5977