View Larger
Rate it!
Avg: 4.5 (27 ratings)
- Date Released: July 30, 2002
- Genre: Jazz
- Style: Contemporary
- Label: Savant
Moody and playful, this is a career peak from a brilliant bandleader.
-
We Say...
Over time my loyalties might return to one of Arthur Blythe's early Columbia albums, but for now this is the one I go to first. Blythe has always delighted in atypical instrumentation, and here he comes up with a configuration so perfect one wonders why it's not the nightclub standard: old friend Bob Stewart on tuba, Gust William Tsilis on the infrequently heard bass marimba, and Cecil Brooks III on drums. Stewart is a serious tuba player, and Tsilis is no mere atmosphere setter. Still, there's something inherently jolly about tubas and something inherently moody about marimbas, and the contrast is one of on Focus’ many selling points.
Another is Brooks, whose drumming holds it all together and then opens it all up. Still another is Blythe himself, expressive without ostentation on a set of blues and ballads, obscure Monk, abstruse funk, new originals and old originals shined up like new. -
They Say...
Altoist Arthur Blythe has always loved to play in unusual instrumental settings. His soulful sound and adventurous style are quite flexible and they sound right at home in this set with Gust William Tsilis on bass marimba, Bob Stewart on tuba, and drummer Cecil Brooks III. The performances are lyrical and often melodic, but searching and unpredictable. Blythe contributed eight of the dozen songs (including "Opus 1," "My Son Ra," and "Bubbles") in addition to digging into "C.C. Rider," Thelonious Monk's obscure "Children's Song," "Stuffy Turkey," and "In a Sentimental Mood." In grooves ranging from New Orleans to R&B-ish, along with freer explorations, this is a continually colorful set of high-quality music.
“ The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin.”
Rolling Stone
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 12 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 12 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
| 01. |  |
Opus 1 |
6:52 |
|
| 02. | |
Children's Song |
3:18 |
|
| 03. | |
C.C. Rider |
4:58 |
|
| 04. | |
Once Again |
2:53 |
|
| 05. | |
My Son Ra |
8:09 |
|
| 06. | |
Hip Toe |
6:20 |
|
| 07. | |
Night Song |
6:50 |
|
| 08. | |
Bubbles |
3:16 |
|
| 09. | |
Stuffy Turkey |
5:00 |
|
| 10. | |
Night Creeper |
5:19 |
|
| 11. | |
In A Sentimental Mood |
7:58 |
|
| 12. | |
Focus |
1:16 |
|
12 Total Tracks, 62:09 Total Length
Loading...
Playlists If you like Arthur Blythe, check out these member playlists
Explore music recommended by Arthur Blythe fans
Credits
- Arthur Blythe - Main Performer // Arthur Blythe - Associate Producer // Cecil Brooks III - Producer // Joe Fields - Executive Producer // Katsuhiko Naito - Engineer // Katsuhiko Naito - Mastering // Bill Milkowski - Liner Notes // R. Andrew Lepley - Photography // Jack Frisch - Art Direction // Jack Frisch - Design
Choose from over 7 million
music downloadseMusic features legendary and emerging artists in every genre: classic rock to classical,indie to international, soundtracks to spiritual, jazz to country and many more.
MP3 downloads work on any digital media player
With eMusic, you OWN your music without any restrictions. Burn music to a CD, play it on your computer, mobile phone or any digital media player - including iPod®, Zune® and Walkman®.
Songs available for 50¢ or less
eMusic subscriptions start at just $11.99 a month for 24 downloads - that's just 50¢ per song! And it gets better from there - our plans go as low as 42¢ per song!
Music Discovery
eMusic is about discovery. We make finding new music fun again with music recommendations from our award-winning team of music experts, member playlists and new music features.
Cancel anytime
With all the great music and site features we're pretty sure you will love eMusic. If not, no problem. You can cancel at any time and keep the music you have downloaded.
© 1992 - 2009 All Media Guide, LLC