Murray's obvious strengths as a tenor saxophonist tend to eclipse his gifts on bass clarinet, that big odd horn that looks a bit like an anorexic tenor, and sounds in the same range, but with a sweeter, woody tone. No one in jazz after Eric Dolphy has done as much with that axe as Murray, making especially welcome this showcase recorded in 1991, whose title says it all. For rhythmic emphasis, he'll occasionally pop notes loudly from his mouthpiece, a favorite gambit of 1920s novelty "gaspipe" clarinetists; the man has deep roots. The crack backing trio is pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Idris Muhammad. - Kevin Whitehead
Tracks
01. Waltz to Heaven (David Murray)
02. New Life (David Murray)
03. Chazz (Wilber Morris)
04. Portrait of a Black Woman - for Mae Francis Owens (David Murray)
05. Lyons Street (Idris Muhammad)
06. Elegy for Fannie Lou (Kunle Mwanga)
RAY DRUMMOND bass
DAVID MURRAY bass clarinet
IDRIS MUHAMMAD drums
JOHN HICKS piano
Recorded at Power Station, NYC on October 14-15, 1991
Diw Records DIW - DIW-880