David Murray Big Band

This is one of the more notable entries by the occasional big band where Murray collaborates with conductor/shaper of improvised parts Butch Morris, not least because of guest shots by mesmerizing singer Andy Bey (rapping on "Let the Music Take You") and the astounding, too-little recorded Joel Brandon, Chicago's late "master whistler." On "Paul Gonzalves" (yes, they misspelled the name of Ellington tenor star Gonsalves), Brandon whistles two solos distinguished by his swing, strong lines, sterling tone and confident pitch. Morris cues in or sculpts backgrounds on the fly, and by now the band knew the drill. The orchestra sounds tighter and more in tune than on some earlier efforts: Kansas City cross-riffs mixed with big New York ideas.