LATEEF YUSEF - The Blue Yusef Lateef, Schallplatten

Yusef Lateef was a leading exponent of world music long before it was embraced by the jazz/pop/rock community. He incorporated all kinds of oriental instrumentation (such as koto, bamboo flute and tambura) into his jazz and, in this case, blues compositions. His saxophone playing is also flawless and full of wonderful textures, hard and driving one moment, cool and exotic the next.On this album, Lateef explored, in a picturesque way, the fringes of the blues as they may appear and appeal to both Eastern and Western cultures. "Juba Juba" starts with a drumbeat on a slave ship, building to a slow, agonizing tempo, punctuated only by Lateef's plaintive flute and the background chant of "freedom, freedom, freedom". After such a somber beginning, the classic blues of "Like It Is" seems like a welcome breath of fresh air, with a great string quartet as its base. The R&B interludes of the other tracks confirm the proficiency of Lateef's forays into the blues while the truly more adventurous tracks like "Back Home" and the mystical Chinese odyssey "Moon Cup" weave a magical web of pleasure. "The Blue Yusef Lateef" is absolutely breathtaking in every conceivable way. As a jazz album, it is a milestone. As a blues album, it is unique. But as a musical work of art, it is a masterpiece of glorious genius.This Speakers Corner production was made using analog master tape and mastering 100% pure analog. More information at www.pure-analogue.com. All licenses and GEMA fees have been paid. Line-upSonny Red - Alto Saxophone / Cecil McBee, Bob Cranshaw - Bass / Roy Brooks - Drums / Kenny Burrell - Guitar / Buddy Lucas - Harmonica / Hugh Lawson - Piano / Yusef Lateff - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Tambura, Koto,PercussionTitle Side A Side B 1.Juba Juba4:20Back Home4:592.Like It Is7:32Get Over, Get Off And get On3:413.Othelia4:31Six Miles Next Door4:414.Moon Cup3:16Sun Dog3:05 Technique Recording: April 1968 at RCA Studios, New York City by Ray HallProduction: Joel Dorn.