Longtime saxophone eminence David Murray has always been really fun to listen to because his reed attack oozes with character while it’s heavily imbued in tradition – even when he heads out the door for an outside stroll.
With a discography stretching back into the ’70s, the man has been remarkably consistent. (His ’80s octet records are among the very best jazz from that decade.) What’s also remarkable is that we hadn’t covered this important figure much in this space, so sizing up a recent release of his is a perfect way to start rectifying that.
Seriana Promethea is Murray’s latest treat, where Murray leading his Brave New World Trio with bassist Brad Jones and drummer Hamid Drake. This combo is not just a collection of big names, it’s an assemblage of dudes who fit together perfectly because they’re all alpha musicians who play with a lot of vigor, feel and looseness. It’s a power trio that applies its force not to the most technically proficient but to the best vibe.
They swagger their way through seven Murray originals and one really cool cover with relaxed confidence. “Metouka Sheli (Ballad for Adrienne)” commences with Jones sawing away but after he settles into a soft swing, Murray is blowing with so much reedy soul, he sounds inhibited by the ghost of Coleman Hawkins. For “Rainbows for Julia,” Murray puts fanciful accents in his notes and generally lets the spirit guide his next moves, leaving no spaces because he seems incapable of running out of things to express. Jones follows with his own showcase out front and it turns out, he has a lot meaningful things to articulate, too.
“Seriana Promethea” is finger-snappin’ good because it’s has that funky calypso groove happening. Murray peppers it with a volley of spunky bass clarinet notes and like the best reedmen, he can stretch out comfortably without losing his grip on the melody. Jones did heavy lifting there and continues to pull his weight laying out the underlying chord changes on the second-line delight “Necktar.” Murray keeps accumulating energy the further he goes along and Drake’s joyous beat is so infectious, it’s left alone enjoy for a minute or so.
For “Switchin’ in the Kitchen” Murray cheerfully carries out the melody with his usual gusto, backed by a rhythm section that’s never not working, and it’s Drake’s Caribbean-accented drums that propel “Anita et Annita.”
And then there’s that cool cover. Murray & Co. reach back to Sly Stone’s 1973 hit “If You Want Me To Stay” and you can immediately tell from Jones’ opening up with that song-defining funky bass line. Murray takes it from there, frolicking in Drake’s pocket.
Seriana Promethea is now out, courtesy of Intakt Records. Order up a copy from Bandcamp.
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