'It is the quality of the composing - above all the richness of the melodies - that makes this album one of Murray's most immediately appealing.' -- Jazzwise * * * * 'Saxophonist Murray is the most exciting live performer in jazz...this is a return to form.' -- The Independent On Sunday * * * * 'David Murray's new quartet has the spring and sparkle of a blowing session in a 70s Manhattan loft... blues-rooted, purposeful and tight, with Murray's fire and virtuosity matched by that of his guests.' -- Financial Times * * * * 'The pairing of avant-garde maven David Murray with idiosyncratic R&B diva Macy Gray might seem an odd one, but their collaboration on the languorous title track is an inspired one...Gregory Porter works his alchemy on three outstanding vocal cuts.' -- Mojo * * * * 'Amid a slew of deeply serious jazz releases, it's refreshing to come across an album of irrepressible optimism...Murray's heartfelt tenor sax adds to the fervour.' -- The Daily Telegraph * * * * 'Murray's air-splitting exuberance is complemented by inventive piano playing from Marc Cary. But it's the guest vocals, from Macy Gray and Gregory Porter, that might attract new listeners, with Porter calling to mind Nina Simone, Gil Scott Heron and Leon Thomas at their most soulfully eloquent.' -- The Herald 'Murray's inventiveness on the fast-swinging Stressology and rich ballad sound on Sorrow Song are highlights on a session in which a fine quartet including pianist Marc Cary is augmented by vocalists Gregory Porter and Macy Gray...is rousingly raw on the title track.' -- The Guardian 'There may be guest vocalists but Murray's tenor saxophone is the real star, a fruity mix of vintage swing and free-ish jazz on these bluesy, gospel-ish tunes.' --The Times
R**M
David Murray delivers Creative classical jazz project
Love this CD where David Murray puts together memorable classical jazz pieces along with vocals from Macy Gray and Gregory Porter to deliver a Monster of a project, for jazz and R&B fans alike to share and enjoy. A wonderful package of spreading and sharing genres as David helps to open the various genres to all who are open to listen, experience, and expand their musical universe. David put together a great ensemble of musicians and vocalists. It works really perfectly.Buy it, you will love it - and then share the introduction to your jazz and R&B friends - they will thank you.
J**S
The Poetry of Ishmael Reed Makes Good Music
This is a very impressive offering by David Murray. As a long time reader of Ishmael Reed novels (including Yellow Back Radio Broke Down, Mumbo Jumbo, Freelance Pallbearers, and others), I was pleased and surprised to find his work put to music in this collection. David Murray is at his best. I will be studying this music for the next few years. Although the great Macy Gray fit very well with her rendition of the title track, her work is second to Hope Is A Thing With Feathers - a masterpiece, indeed!
C**M
Macy Fan
This is a really nice jazz cd. If you're looking for your typical Macy Gray, this is not the album for you. It's nice if you're a music lover of all sorts of music. It's more of a jazzy theme with a little Macy sprinkled in. I enjoyed it.
A**R
Could have been 5 stars
Bought this to reminesce re: performance at 2013 Detroit Jazz Festival. David Murray is a fine artist and band leader. The collaboration with Macy Gray was truly inspired and could have used more tracks for 5 stars.
M**S
Loved It!!!
I've followed David since he was with the World Sax Quartet and his style and delivery on this CD is bold and inspiring as expected. My wife and I love it.
G**D
Five Stars
Great CD at bargain price.
D**N
Do we have to worry about Mr Murray?
A surprisingly "normal, accessible" production by David Murray.I love his more more free-feeling, experimental stuff that he has been doing since the 70's (on my chart). David is a master in creating undulating, very intensive, nutty and fun stuff.On Monster, he is actually radio material. Clean straight jazz, blues, a little funk, lovely sweetened by Macy and Gregory. "Hope/feathers" might be the tune to listen to in order to calibrate the album.Is it the wisdom of age, is it the need to be more visible, or is it just plain good fun?A very interesting album, full of great music. Enjoy!
M**N
GREAT R&B ALBUM
After the romance with afro-cuban music David Murray come back to pure r&blues jazz record. Beautiful record with two excellent vocalist. Marcy Gray, Bobby Bradford and Gregory Porter on fluhelhorn , and excelente musicians; Marc Cary on piano, Nasheet Waits on drums and Jaribu Shahid on bass. Is a splendid CD with great music, grate musicians and very good feelings Murray play clasic and fantastic. Is like a old album, good songs and good musicians. Probably is the more easy album of Murray, even could be a hit, if the radios put same themes . A really good jazz record. The vocals are incredible and the concept perfect. Please try to hear it, sure you will love it
J**R
Be my Monster Love - A Monster of an album !
In a recent interview with Jazzwise magazine David Murray admits to "Mellowing a little" with age and that is definitely reflected in his recent albums. This one is no exception as Murray turns out yet another fine album of creative,passionate and highly enjoyable jazz. With the addition of vocalists Macy Gray on one track and Gregory Porter on three tracks this will hopefully attract a new breed of listener for Murray.The vocal tracks are really the standout tracks on the album, Gray delivers an offbeat but swinging vocal on the title track and Porter preaches a storming gospel on "Army of the faithful".With Murray fitting in some nicely phrased solos on the vocal tracks, and his customary and more muscular tone on the instrumental tracks, it makes for a nicely balanced album. Sure, a David Murray album is not a David Murray album without some trademark honks and squeals, they are used more sparingly these days than on his "Black saint" label recordings of the seventies and this shouldn't alienate too many listeners.All in all a quality album from the always thought provoking David Murray.
M**N
A very good, though not outstanding Murray album
David Murray's albums have invariably been consistently of a very high level ever since the first ones in the 1970s. This may not be one of his very best but such is the level at which he sets the bar that new or seasoned Murray listeners are unlikely to be disappointed. Perhaps there are few real surprises but the skill and taste with which he combines a respect for the tradition with a more contemporary approach is as always rewarding. Strongly recommended.
P**B
MURRAY...
Good music,Good songs executed in fine style with guest vocalists Gregory Porter and Macy Gray."Army of the Faithful" is a real belter.Feeling the spirit on this one.Overall a good jazz record.Recommended!!!
P**P
christmas present
this was bought as a stocking filler for my partner who hinted about it and it lived up to its good reviews.
M**N
UN GRAN DISCO DE R&B Y JAZZ
Los que conocen a David Murray que no se asusten. Es su disco mas comercial en años, o de siempre. Despues de una serie de albumes dedicados a la musica afro-cubana y el penultimo a Nating Cole en español, ahora vuelve su mirada al jazz mezclado con el mejor R&B. Excelente disco muy grato de oír y con tres vocalistas de excepción, a destacar un tema con Mary Gray y la colaboracion del cantante masculino de jazz del momento Gregory Porter. Un bombazo. Disfrute total con esta nueva aportacion de Murray que por cierto se hace acompañar con un trio de excepción.
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