"His octet was always the perfect setting for tenor saxophonist David Murray, large enough to generate power but not as out of control as many of his big-band performances. Murray contributed all five originals (including "Ming" and "Dewey's Circle") and arrangements, and is in superior form on both tenor and bass clarinet. The "backup crew" is also quite notable: altoist Henry Threadgill, trumpeter Olu Dara, cornetist Butch Morris, trombonist George Lewis, pianist Anthony Davis, bassist Wilbur Morris, and drummer Steve McCall. These avant-garde performances (reissued on CD) are often rhythmic enough to reach a slightly larger audience than usual, and the individuality shown by each of these major players is quite impressive. Recommended.” - Scott Yanow. (AllMusic.com)
"Ming is an astonishing record, a virtual compression of three generations of improvised music into 40 minutes of entirely original jazz." (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD)
Tracks
1. The Fast Life
2. The Hill
3. Ming
4. Jasvan
5. Dewey's Circle
HENRY THREADGILL alto saxophone
LAWRENCE "BUTCH" MORRIS cornet
WILBUR MORRIS bass
STEVE McCALL percussion
ANTHONY DAVIS piano
DAVID MURRAY tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
GEORGE LEWIS trombone
OLU DARA trumpet
All music composed by David Murray
Recorded July 25 & 28, 1980 at Right Track Recording Studios, New York
Black Saint Records (Italy) Black Saint - 120045-2