Burning Spirits

Burning Spirits
Studio album by Sonny Simmons
Released	1971
Recorded	November 24, 1970 Contemporary's Studio, Los Angeles, California
Genre	Jazz
Length	79:18
Label	Contemporary S7625/26
Producer	Lester Koenig
Sonny Simmons chronology
Rumasuma (1970)Rumasuma1970 Burning Spirits (1971) Backwoods Suite (1982)Backwoods Suite1982

Burning Spirits is a double album by saxophonist Sonny Simmons (credited as Huey Simmons on the initial release) which was recorded in 1970 and released on the Contemporary label.^[1][2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Rolling Stone	favorable[4]

AllMusic awarded the album 4 stars with its review by Alex Henderson stating: "Burning Spirits is generally more free jazz than post-bop. But regardless of whether Simmons is playing inside or outside (usually outside), the saxman plays with tremendous conviction on this album".^[3] Bob Palmer of Rolling Stone]] said that ""Simmons and friends have taken the developments of the past ten years [...] and compacted them into an ever-changing kaleidoscope of spaces and densities that make a lot of what's au courant seem pale by comparison. If you buy only one LP of 'jazz' music this year, make it this one."^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Huey Simmons

1. "Burning Spirits No. 1" - 11:34
2. "New Newk" - 11:42
3. "Healing Rays" - 15:55
4. "Burning Spirits No. 2" - 13:47
5. "Things and Beings" - 9:27
6. "E=MC²" - 16:53

Personnel

• Sonny Simmons - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, English horn
• Barbara Donald - trumpet (tracks 1, 3, 4 & 6)
• Michael White - violin (tracks 1 & 3-6)
• Lonnie Liston Smith - piano (tracks 2 & 5)
• Richard Davis, Cecil McBee (tracks 1 & 3-6) - bass
• Clifford Jarvis - drums

References