Live At Brooklyn Academy of Music

The World Saxophone Quartet's first recording in four years found the group's power and adventurous nature unchanged. In existence on a part-time basis for eight years at this point, the band still sounded quite unique, making avant-garde explorations almost seem accessible at times and playing quite rhythmically in places even without the presence of a rhythm section. Altoists Julius Hemphill and Oliver Lake, tenor saxophonist David Murray and baritonist Hamiet Bluiett (all of whom double on other reeds) were individually quite innovative, but they were also able to blend together to form an unusual group sound. Of their six originals, it is as usual the three Hemphill contributions that are most memorable.