Of Blues and Dreams

Personnel includes: Anthony Davis (piano); Leroy Jenkins, Abdul Wadud, Pheeroan Ak Laff.
Recorded at Downtown Sound, New York, New York on July 30 & 31, 1978.
Personnel: Anthony Davis (piano); Abdul Wadud (cello).
Liner Note Author: Stuart Broomer.
Recording information: Downtown Sound, New York, NY (07/30/1978/07/31/1978).
Photographer: Bill Smith .
The adventurous playing and writing on this reissue hint at both avant-garde jazz and 20th century classical music. Pianist/composer Anthony Davis (who wrote all of the music for the set) is joined by violinist Leroy Jenkins, cellist Abdul Wadud, and drummer Pheeroan akLaff on the three-part "Suite for Another World" and "Estraven," while taking "Of Blues and Dreams" as a solo piano feature. The music is episodic and somewhat cinematic, with some intriguing interplay among the musicians even if the overall project is not overly memorable. Worth a couple listens. ~ Scott Yanow