Continuing my quest for more Woody Shaw albums. This one was among the top ones I was looking for. Not easy to find. Recorded in 1974 in New York. Out of the Shaw albums I’ve listened to up to this point, this is one of the best for me. This title treats the listener to a great dose of 70’s jazz, both in terms of the musical direction as well as the sound. Great playing by everyone and Shaw shines with his electric, masterful style. I also particularly love the percussive elements provided on several of the tunes.
We have the leader playing together with Azar Lawrence on tenor and soprano sax, Steve Turre on trombone, Onaje Allen Gumbs on piano and electric piano, Buster Williams on double bass (two tunes only), Cecil McBee on double bass (the rest of the tunes), Victor Lewis on drums, Tony Waters on congas and Guilherme Franco on percussion.
I love the cover art with it’s textured front displaying a black and white photograph of Shaw holding his trumpet and the lovely choice of typography.
Essential stuff.
