Search - Sunny Murray :: Perles Noires 2

Lotta bang for the buck

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 09/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a monster of an album in more ways than one. There are two sessions represented here: the first is Sunny Murray with Sabir Mateen on reeds and flute joined by Oluyemi Thomas on bass clarinet and c melody sax; the second is a studio session with Sunny Murray, Sabir Mateen and pianist John Blum. There is over 70 minutes of music, much of it overwhelming in its intensity, joyous and spiritual throughout.



The musicians are unbelieveable. Sabir Mateen is an ideal partner for this engaging and uncompromising music...a grossly under-rated multi-instrumentalist. He is spectacular throughout this volume and volume one. He has energy to spare. It must be quite an athletic feat to play for so long with such intensity. It can be draining to just listen! But oh so worth it!!!



Oluyemi Thomas fits in just fine and both his reeds add to the fire. John Blum is someone I'll be looking out for. His piano playing is uncanny...very dense in places, both hands with a mind of their own....sounding unlike anyone...and those three cuts with Blum are so intense...you will remain rivetted to your seat.



All in all, this is a must have. It's easily as good as vol.1 and in some ways better. The star of the show, of course, is Sunny Murray. When I listen to these 2 volumes I am always amazed with what is going on with the traps. You gotta hear it to believe it. I want a volume three and a volume four and a volume five etc. It's an essential purchase for those who enjoy fire in their music! Bravo Eremite"