My explorations into the 70’s and beyond is in full motion. Here is a fantastic album by tenor player Billy Harper from 1975 on the Italian Black Saint label. It’s one of those albums that I got familiar with through Instagram when I noticed it was in a top 5 list of favorite albums of a participant in a challenge I presented to the community. I listened to it online and thought it was superb, but it was only released in stereo, which I couldn’t play. And many more examples like that have been weighing on my mind, prompting me to get a second turntable with a stereo cartridge. So I now can enjoy everything under the sun on vinyl.
This title is a real gem, and I’m loving Harper’s style. His sax is front and center and his tone strong and assured. He has some amazing runs with flurries of notes throughout that really draws you into the music, which is beautiful crafted, filled with energy and passion.
The personell on this one are Harper on tenor, Virgil Jones on trumpet, Joe Bonner on piano, David Friesen on bass and Malcom Pinson on drums. Not familiar with any of the sidemen but I’ll be sure to explore what they have put out.
There are only three tunes on this but my favorite has to be the lovely 21 minute long ”Call of the Wild and Peaceful Heart” that occupies the entire second side. I especially love the sax and drums duet at the end of the tune.
Highly recommended stuff.