David Murray 4tet
Waltz Again
Justin Time
On the follow up to the big band release Gwotet, composer/arranger/ saxophonist David Murray outdoes himself on Waltz Again. Here he doesn’t just compose genius jazz pieces, but also the string arrangements that outline the tracks. The disc is an absolute masterpiece that begins with a 26-minute-plus seven- part composition “Pushkin Suite #1.” Implementing the ideas that Clifford Brown and Bird had done with their string records, Murray also adds textures that encompass the orchestral works of jazz avant-garde pioneer Ornette Coleman on “Skies of America.” Breathtaking and surreal sounds that are grounded in Murray’s blazing tenor and the chamber setting, this is easily one of the most original and greatest records of the year.
—Trevor MacLaren
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.