ARTHUR BLYTHE — In Concert (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Altoist Arthur Blythe's first two recordings as a leader, The Grip and Metamorphosis, were recorded at the same concert; all of the two LP's contents are on this single CD. Blythe was already quite distinctive and an impressive improviser at this early stage, a year before he signed with Columbia. His sextet (which consists of trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah, cellist Abdul Wadud, tuba player Bob Stewart, drummer Steve Reid and percussionist Muhamad Abdullah) performs seven of Blythe's challenging originals and "Spirits in the Field" while the 18-minute "Duet for Two" is a free collaboration by the leader and Wadud. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    My Sun Ra    3:22
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
2    Lower Nile    4:01
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
3    As Of Yet    12:35
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
4    The Grip    7:11
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
5    Sunrise Service    7:51
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
6    Metamorphosis    8:08
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
7    Spirits In The Field 8:32
Composed By – Walter Lowe
8    Duet For Two    17:59
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
9    Shadows    7:48
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
Credits :
Cello – Abdul Wadud
Drums – Steve Reid
Percussion – Muhammad Abdullah
Saxophone – Arthur Blythe
Trumpet – Ahmed Abdullah
Tuba – Bob Stewart

PHAROAH SANDERS - Pharoah (1977-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pharoah Sanders album for the India Navigation label was known alternately as Pharoah or Harvest Time, sees his vision of the jazz group -- a sonic melange approximating nirvana -- beginning to drift into watery new age muzak. Obviously, the playing is excellent (especially Steve Neil on bass), but the 20-minute title track goes nowhere in its search for bluesy riffs, Sanders' vocal on "Love Will Find a Way" sounds quite out of place, and "Memories of Edith Johnson" is five minutes of a boringly repetitive organ line. Clearly, Pharoah Sanders was losing his way a full ten years after the death of John Coltrane. John Bush
Tracklist :
1     Harvest Time 20'15
Pharoah Sanders
2     Love Will Find a Way 14'31
Pharoah Sanders
3     Memories of Edith Johnson 5'40
Pharoah Sanders
Credits :
Bass – Steve Neil
Drums – Greg Bandy
Guitar – Tisziji Munoz
Harmonium – Bedria Sanders
Organ – Jiggs Chase
Percussion – Lawrence Killian
Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Percussion, Composed By – Pharoah Sanders