Octet Plays Trane

1	Giant Steps 14:02
2	Naima 7:34
3	The Crossing 10:33
4	India 8:48
5	Lazy Bird 13:06
6	A Love Supreme, Pt. 1: Acknowledgement 15:20

Barnes & Noble

One of the things that puts David Murray ahead of the pack is that he is one of the few saxophonists not imitating the late, great John Coltrane. Instead, Murray calls on horn men from swing greats Ben Webster and Paul Gonsalves to modernists Sonny Rollins and Albert Ayler as his main inspirations. Not that Murray has turned his back on the most influential saxophonist in modern jazz; he has interpreted Coltrane tunes on his prolific recordings and participated in Coltrane-related tributes alongside Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, and Pharoah Sanders. Now, Murray and his celebrated Octet give Coltrane the red carpet tribute treatment. The ensemble tackle five Coltrane classics ranging from the complex "Giant Steps" to the open-ended "India," each fleshed out with invigorating new arrangements. All of these compositions were recorded by Coltrane's acclaimed small groups, but Murray's expanded band -- stocked with such exceptional improvisers as trombonist Craig Harris, pianist D.D. Jackson, and saxophonist James Spaulding -- extends the tonal palette bringing to mind the explosive, orchestrated-yet-free mid-'60s groups of Charles Mingus and Archie Shepp. Even though many of these songs have become much-recorded jazz standards, the Octet breathes new life into them. Also included is Murray's heartfelt Trane-inspired composition "The Crossing." Chris MacDermott

All Music Guide

Tenor saxophonist David Murray and his octet rise to the challenge of performing five classic John Coltrane compositions not by playing note-for-note recreations but by allowing Trane's searching spirit to dominate the proceedings. Murray shines on all tracks, switching between tenor and bass clarinet. The octet featuring pianist D.D. Jackson, trombonist Craig Harris, trumpeters Ravi Best and Rasul Siddik, alto saxophonist and flutist James Spaulding, bassist Jaribu Shahid, and drummer Mark Johnson sound like twice the number of musicians throughout this disc. This is especially true on the raucous big band versions of "Giant Steps" and "Lazy Bird." However, they can achieve a complete turnaround when playing the ballad "Naima" or "India," which becomes an ethereal, haunting mix (complete with tabla) sounding more like electric period Miles Davis unplugged than Coltrane's arrangement. Murray's "The Crossing" is a bit of a puzzling inclusion, since it is the only non-Trane composition performed, somewhat defeating the intention of the disc. The proceedings wind down with an engaging 15-minute version of "A Love Supreme: Part 1: Acknowledgment" proving Murray has studied not only the music of John Coltrane, but like him insists on applying his individuality through his horn. Les Campbell