Some more Blythe by request

Photo copyright Michael Romanos (www.michaelromanos.com)

Here it is by request from Centrifuge, the great album from Arthur Blythe, "Lenox Avenue Breakdown." How this ever managed to go out of print I will never know. This recording sports a truly dynamic line-up that shares a tremendous amount of chemistry. I remember reading that the group had only been together for a short while before this was recorded, but there aren't any hints in the music to suggest that. Simply stunning. The opening track, "Down San Diego Way" has a real exuberance about it, and it swings with some great ethnic melodies and lyricism. My wife usually isn't a huge fan of the music I listen to, but she really digs this tune when I put it on. It just feels like San Diego itself--sunny, active and vibrant. Or at least the more pleasant aspects of San Diego...)

There are two things that I also really enjoy about this disc that set it apart. First of all it showcases some tuba, and I can't think of too many other albums that make that work. Not just any old tuba work, either--Stewart really gets a lot out of his uberhorn! Secondly, this album also has some great contributions from James Blood Ulmer. If you have been keeping track of this blog and the comments associated, you might have already read that I wasn't always a huge fan of guitar in jazz. This was one of the albums that got me thinking differently about all of that.
What else can I say? Really give this one a chance to sink in--highly interesting and entertaining, cohesive and it never seems to get stale!



Lenox Avenue Breakdown
Arthur Blythe
1978
128 Rate AAC files (Equivalent to 192 rate Mp3 files)

Line-up:
Arthur Blythe - Sax (Alto), Mixing
Jack DeJohnette - Drums
Guilherme Franco - Percussion
Cecil McBee - Bass, Guitar
James Newton - Flute
Bob Stewart - Tuba
James Blood Ulmer - Guitar

1 Down San Diego Way Blythe - 7:44
2 Lenox Avenue Breakdown Blythe - 13:11
3 Slidin' Through Blythe - 9:33
4 Odessa Blythe - 9:30