A definitive highlight of a prosperous year in collecting for me. This one has really amazed me plenty since I started exploring it. One of the rarest vintage jazz albums in it’s original form, with the misprinted labels, DG and Abbey ring. Almost impossible to find it seems, but here it is. I strayed from my new approach of focusing on cheaper titles, but it was worth it of course. I actually have strayed a bit more recently, but I’m planning to get back on track next year. A New Year’s resolution perhaps?
The first track is quite special as Lateef plays a very unusual instrument called the ”xun”. A globular flute, which is 1200 years old and made of clay. It is one of the oldest musical instruments in China and has been in use for approximately 7000 years. He found it in New York’s Chinatown after he had become interested enough to look for one after reading about it in a book on Chinese music, according to the liner notes. Love it! The sound of the instrument fits perfectly with the tune. The other thing that is special about this tune is that Cat Stevens used it as inspiration for writing his first hit single ”I Love My Dog”. He covered it so to speak, wrote lyrics to it, but didn’t credit Lateef until later when he told him about it and gave him a big check and also started to pay him royalties.
The album blends oriental flavors with the blues and the result is lovely. Besides the old Chinese instrument Lateef plays the tenor, flute and oboe. The oboe sounds absolutely lovely when he plays it. Not a very common occurrence in jazz.
Favorite pick of the album is the dreamy and haunting ”Love Theme from Spartacus” on which Lateef plays the oboe absolutely beautifully. Every tune offers something special and the whole album is very engaging and interesting throughout.
This is actually a title I would consider adding to #my5mostlovedjazzalbums. It’s that good. Lovely stuff, a masterpiece. The best Yusef Lateef album for me. Which is yours?
