David Murray Latin Big Band - Now is Another Time

[Sergio Zamora]

Hey, this joint's something else! I didn't even know this existed, but I saw it at Tower today, and I figured what the fuck.

Oddly enough, it starts off with a great piano solo, real funky, giving the band time to get into the zone. Great band, btw. I haven't read the liners, but they keep it real tight, while the soloists have a lot of room to do their thing.

Murray is playing some strong tenor, and he might be playing baritone on a couple of tracks - not long solos, just little short things to carry the melody along. Right now, I'm listening to track 4, and Murray's taking this colossal tour de force solo accompanied by the clave rhythm section and the call/response from the horns in the orchestra, both in unison and on their own. Great fucking solo.

As I might have mentioned before, despite my cultural background, ethnicity, etc, I'm really not that familiar with latin jazz; not in depth, at least. I got it because of Murray. But this band kicks some some ass, and Murray's playing keeps it from staying too long in a comfortable rhythmic area. Maybe folks who listen to a lot of latin jazz won't find this as interesting as I did, but oh well.

Did I mention that Murray's playing kicks ass? Especially in track 4?

[Sergio Zamora]

Just read the credits. It's actually Hammiett Bluett on bari. Real good. The rest of the band are unknown to me.

[Uli]

It's alredy on my list.

z, where's you been? You did not even know it's out? Hugh Ragin and all the clave cats are unknown to you? Gotta stop listening to that "English Jazz" for a while and come back to your roots.

[Sergio Zamora]

Originally posted by Uli
It's alredy on my list.

z, where have you been? You did not even know it's out? Hugh Ragin and all the clave cats are unknown to you? Gotta stop listening to that "English Jazz" for a while and come back to your roots.

Nope. Didn't know it was out. I just noticed Hugh Ragin and Craig Harris (who has some real nice solos) were also on it - thanks, but I'm not familiar with those clave cats. Really great band.

Man, my roots are ranchero and nortena music, but I do dig afro-cuban jazz - just not real familiar with it is all.

[Uli]

Originally posted by Sergio Zamora

Man, my roots are ranchero and nortena music, but I do dig afro-cuban jazz - just not real familiar with it is all.

Whatever, man. It's all good stuff from the new world. Not like that post-Austrian reductivism.

[Clay Fink]

Is this on Justin Time?

[relyles]

Originally posted by Clay Fink
Is this on Justin Time?

Yes and I also concur that it is a very good disc with Murray playing as well as ever. There were a couple of tracks on the South of the Border big band date that hinted at it, but Murray sounds great in the "latin jazz" realm and does not lose any of his passion, imagination and edge that we are used to hearing from him. Highly recommended!

[Steve Reynolds]

I give it a B+ - wish we would hear more Bluiett - as he sounds as good as ever

[Clay Fink]

I like the picture of the Captain, Steve.

Fast and bulbous, baby!

[Tanager]

I'm convinced - headed out now to see if I can find a copy.

[Pete C]

I haven't heard it. But when Murray played the charts in NY recently with some different personnel, they definitely didn't have their shit together.

[Il Anto]

I wrote a review of this on the old JC when this CD was released. I was disapointed in that review. I kind of likened it to Murray doing the mambo as I found the music very pedestrian even though the band and the arrangements were very tight. I think I was expecting something more experimental. But I will give this another listen.