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Takin' It 2 the Next Level

World Saxophone Quartet
1 disc

1. Wiring
2. Soft Landing
3. Rio
4. Peace Before, The
5. Blues for a Warrior Spirit
6. Desegregation of Our Children, The
7. When the Monarchs Come to Town
8. Endless Flight
9. Ballad After Us
10. Australopithecus
Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 93
Credits

Producer
Engineer Phil Goodbody
World Saxophone Quartet: Oliver Lake (alto saxophone); David Murray (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet); Hamiet Bluiett (baritone saxophone); John R. Purcell (saxello, tenor saxophone).
Additional personnel: Donald Blackman (piano, keyboards); Calvin Jones (acoustic & electric basses); Ronnie Burrage (drums, shekere, tamboura, vocals, keyboards, a'gogo bells, tambourine, percussion).
Producers: John Purcell, Ronnie Burrage, World Saxophone Quartet.
Recorded at Beartracks Studio, Suffern, New York on June 10-12, 1996. Includes liner notes by Andrew Jones.
Personnel: Ronnie Burrage (vocals, tamboura, keyboards, drums, shekere, tambourine, tom tom, percussion, bells); John Purcell (saxello, tenor saxophone); Oliver Lake (alto saxophone); Hamiet Bluiett (baritone saxophone); Don Blackman (piano, keyboards); Calvin "Fuzz" Jones (acoustic bass, electric bass).
Audio Mixer: Ian Terry.
Liner Note Author: Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones.
Recording information: Beartracks Studio, Suffern, NY (06/10/1996-06/12/1996).
Editor: Ian Terry.
Photographers: Fernando M. Natalici; Jim West.
Unknown Contributor Role: Ronnie Burrage.
Arranger: Antonio Underwood.
It is obvious from the first notes that this is a very different outing by the World Saxophone Quartet -- the band is backed by a rhythm section. The playing of keyboardist Donald Blackman, bassist Calvin Jones and drummer Ronnie Burrage actually adds to the music rather than taking away from the core band, for their funky rhythms are fairly unpredictable and adventurous in their own way. The WSQ (which at the time consisted of David Murray on tenor and bass clarinet, baritonist Hamiet Bluiett, altoist Oliver Lake and John Purcell on saxello and tenor) sounds inspired by the "new" setting, and their playing is as adventurous as ever. Mostly sticking to group originals, the expanded band explores many moods on such numbers as "Wiring," "Rio," "The Desegregation of Our Children" and "When Thee Monarchs Come to Town." ~ Scott Yanow
Critic Reviews

Q (4/97, p.135) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "The World Saxophone Quartet... are clearly shifting ground here to balance pop and funk ingredients with their customary rugged free-jazz adventures and rich, Ellington-esque ensemble sounds..."