Birthright: A Solo Blues Concert cover

Birthright: A Solo Blues Concert

Released

Brilliant baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett was the anchor of the World Saxophone Quartet, and played with violinist Billy Bang, bassist/composer Charles Mingus, South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, and many others. This 1977 live recording might seem unpromising on its face — 45 minutes of solo baritone saxophone? — but it’s surprisingly compelling. As its title indicates, Bluiett is playing the blues in big, lung-stretching riffs, while also taking things way outside into the realm of pure sound, emitting almost subterranean rumbles and high-pitched squeals, then moving into the horn’s middle range to demonstrate his skill at crafting melodies. He even plays with the stereo field, moving around the stage at times, notably on “The Village of Brooklyn, Illinois.” This is out jazz with a fervent human pulse, that’ll grab you by the guts and twist.

Phil Freeman

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