This intriguing set combines several strong personalities (David Murray on tenor and bass clarinet, guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer, pianist Don Pullen, bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith) in performances that are avant-garde, close to free bop and sometimes hinting at Charles Mingus, M-Base and harmolodics. The quintet performs a nearly 15-minute version of "All the Things You Are" and three Murray originals, including "David -- Mingus." The somewhat noisy performances are pretty spontaneous and, thanks to Pullen's rhythmic style, a little more accessible than one might expect, despite being quite adventurous. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1 - David - Mingus (David Murray)
2 - Death (David Murray)
3 - All The Things You Are (J. Kern/O. Hammerstein II)
4 - Tension (David Murray)
DON PULLEN piano
LONNIE PLAXICO bass
MARVIN “SMITTY” SMITH drums
JAMES "BLOOD" ULMER electri guitar
DAVID MURRAY tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Recorded October 27 and November 15, 1984 at Vanguard Studios, New York City
Back Saint 120 089-2 Italy