Pianist/composer Richard Abrams contributes all eight selections to this intriguing septet date. Such notables as trumpeter Eddie Allen, trombonist Craig Harris, and Aaron Stewart (on tenor and soprano) are featured on music that ranges from advanced hard bop (some of the grooves are quite straight-ahead) to some rather spacy explorations from Abrams' synthesizer. In addition, Richard Abrams is featured both as a speaker and a singer on the opening "Song for All." Bryan Carrott's vibes and Abrams' occasional synthesizer add an eerie feel to some of the ensembles and keep the complex yet often surprisingly accessible music from ever getting too predictable. Well worth several listens. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Song for All
02. Dabadubada
03. Marching With Honor (Muhal Richard Abrams)
04. GMBR
05. Over the Same Over
06. LineTime
07. Steamin’ up the Road
08. Imagine
BRAD JONES bass
REGGIE NICHOLSON drums
CRAIG HARRIS trombone
EDDIE ALLEN trumpet
BRYAN CARROTT vibraphone, percussion
MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS piano, synthesizer
Recorded on April 26-29, 1994 at East Side Sound, NYC.
Black Saint - 120161-2 Italy