Octet Plays Trane (2000)

"Tenor saxophonist David Murray and his octet don't play note-for-note recreations but allow Trane's searching spirit to dominate the proceedings. Murray shines on all tracks, switching between tenor and bass clarinet. The octet featuring D.D. Jackson (p), Craig Harris (tmb), Ravi Best (t), Rasul Siddik (t), James Spaulding (as, fl), Jaribu Shahid (b), and Mark Johnson (d) most of the time sound like twice the number of musicians. Especially on the raucous big band versions of "Giant Steps" and "Lazy Bird." However, they can achieve a complete turnaround when playing the ballad "Naima" or "India," which becomes an ethereal, haunting mix (complete with tabla) sounding more like electric period Miles Davis unplugged than Coltrane's arrangement. The proceedings wind down with an engaging 15-minute version of "A Love Supreme: Part 1: Acknowledgment" proving Murray has studied not only the music of John Coltrane, but like him insists on applying his individuality through his horn." (Al Campbell, Allmusic)

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