Breath of Life (WSQ album)

Breath of Life is the twelfth album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet. Recorded in 1992 and released in 1994 it was the groups fifth and final album on the Elektra/Nonesuch label and features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, Arthur Blythe, Oliver Lake and David Murray with Fontella Bass and a rhythm section.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Al Campbell awarded the album 4 stars and stated "Going a step further from the previous year's experiment with African drums on Metamorphosis, Breath of Life continues to find the sax quartet stretching the boundaries associated with its acappella approach of the past".^[1]

Track listing

1. "Jest a Little" (Oliver Lake) - 9:14
2. "Cairo Blues" (David Murray) - 1:11
3. "Suffering with the Blues" (Conyers Temberton) - 5:39
4. "You Don't Know Me" (Eddy Arnold, Cindy Walker) - 6:35
5. "Picasso" (Murray) - 5:52
6. "Song for Camille" (Hamiett Bluiett) - 7:42
7. "Breath of Life" (Lake) - 4:43
8. "Deb" (Bluiett) - 4:43

• Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios and Power Station in New`York City in April and September 1992

Personnel

• Hamiet Bluiett — baritone saxophone, contra-alto clarinet
• Arthur Blythe — alto saxophone
• Oliver Lake — alto saxophone
• David Murray — tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
• Amina Claudine Myers — organ (tracks 1 & 6)
• Donald Smith — piano (tracks 1, 6 & 8), organ (tracks 3 & 4)
• Fred Hopkins (tracks 1 & 6), Tarik Shah (track 7) — bass
• Ronnie Burrage (tracks 1, 6 & 8), Gene Lake (tracks 4 & 7) — drums
• Fontella Bass - vocals, piano (tracks 3, 4 & 7)

References