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Justin Time Records Announces The Release Of David Murray

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His Seventh CD For The Label

On his previous Justin Time albums, David Murray has explored African, Gospel, Rap and Guadaloupean music. For Now Is Another Time the prolific tenorman sets his sights on the music of Cuba with his big band in tow -- not the big band which has captivated audiences all over the world for nearly a quarter century, but rather his Latin Big Band, filled with a dazzling array of young Cuban musicians. Built around three of Murray's long-time associates,- trombonist Craig Harris, trumpeter High Ragin and Hamiet Bluiett on baritone sax,- the dynamic orchestra tears through seven Murray originals, and features arrangements by noted Cuban musicians Manolito Simonet, Jose Luis “El Tosco" Cortez and timbales master Changuito.

Also prominently featured as soloists are tenorman Orlando Sanchez Soto, trumpeter Alexander Brown Cabrera and Roman Feliu O'Reilly on alto saxophone, along with a fine assortment of outstanding pianists. Recorded in Havana during two visits in 2001 and 2002, two different orchestras were put together for this stunning sojourn into the Afro-Cuban realm.

The first assemblage, minus the aforementioned Murray associates, is featured on two tracks. Crystal, named for Murray's new (and first) daughter, opens the album on a deceptively easy groove that shifts back and forth with hard-edged syncopated polyrhythms, providing a tasty backdrop for exciting solos by Cabrera, altoist German Velasco Urdeliz and a passionately muscular turn by Murray. Breakout, taken at a scalding pace with a wicked unison horn line features scorching tenor solos by Soto, Irvin Luichel Acao Sierra and the leader, plus a remarkable trumpet solo by Bacilio Bernardo Marquez Richards, evoking the spirit of the incredible Booker Little.

The other five tracks bring back a few of the same Cuban musicians and plenty more, plus the Americans. Aerol's Change, a somewhat up-tempo romp with an intricately layered head is arranged by Jose Luis Quintana Fuerte, better known as Changuito, who also takes a typically fiery timbales solo over Tony Perez' staccato piano. Perez also offers a highly charged solo displaying the powerful left hand and nimble runs that Cuban pianists handle so well. The roaring Blue Muse opens with Murray's percussive bass clarinet over the percolating rhythm section before the soaring horns build to a tremendous riff. Kahil Izkir's full-bodied flute solo and Cristobal Ferrer's articulate trumpet also highlight this piece.

The provocative blend of adventurous jazz and steamy Afro-Cuban rhythms take a more traditional flavor with Mambo Dominica and Giovanni's Mission. The latter, named for Murray's friend, Black Saint/Soul Note label founder Giovanni Bonandrini, is a gentle bolero at the outset is marked by Ragin's warm lyricism, O'Reillys boppish alto and a vividly searching offering from Murray. Mambo Dominica's grooving lyricism features a lilting piano solo by Miguel Angel de Armas, leading into Harris' well-articulated trombone and Bluiett's rolling thunder before Murray's singing tenor takes it home.

But the centerpiece of the album is the 20-minute extravaganza that closes out the proceedings. Starting out as a beautiful ballad, Sad Kind of Love opens with de Armas' delicate solo piano and Murray's tenor in his inimitable ballad style, demonstrating why his sound has been compared to immortals like Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins. As his solo builds, the rhythm section ignites and the piece transforms into a hard-driving, wide-open excursion of furious free improvisation. Boisterous solos from Harris, Bluiett, Cabrera, de Armas and a percussion spectacular pave the way for Murray's final entrance and a fade-out over the relentless percussion.

With Now Is Another Time, David Murray has once again taken a genre outside of the jazz mainstream and put his own unique and indelible mark upon it.

For Murray, this is what's come to be expected of the incredibly prolific reedman/composer. Since his arrival in New York from the West Coast a quarter century ago, he has assembled countless groups, producing well over a hundred recordings as a leader and co-leader of cooperatives, including the much acclaimed World Saxophone Quartet. Residing primarily in Paris these days, the amazingly popular saxophonist is consistently touring and recording with his various ensembles.

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