Smoke Signal [Live]

Dawan Muhammad | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Lifeforce Jazz
• ASIN: B0000D8L59
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,707 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lifeforce

2. Yesterdays

3. In the Hood

4. Straight from the Heart

5. Black Narcissus

6. Just Friends

7. Smoke Signal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable, entirely creditable . . ., January 29, 2004

By 

Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smoke Signal (Audio CD)

. . . if not substantially out of the ordinary hard-bop.

Yet there's a certain raw immediacy about these proceedings that set them apart from the typical post-Messengers session, which they intentionally strive to reference. The huge presence of Billy Higgins in the drum chair certainly contributes to the aura of something special going down.

Another referent, since this comes out of Los Angeles and seems entirely steeped in a communial vibe, is certainly Horace Tapscott's U.G.M.M.A. The type of effort put forth here, strongly tethered to a local scene, often produces music that transcends its humble roots, as is the case with this music.

The players--Duwan Muhammad (leader, saxes and flutes), James "Smitty" Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn), Phil Ranelin (trombone), Greg Kirstin (piano), and Jesse "Yusef" Murphy (bass)--are all unknown to me, save, of course the great Higgins in the drum chair. Each seems completely competent on his chosen instrument, with the leader making the strongest impression.

The tunes, a combination of standards and originals, are perfectly serviceable, and provide plenty of opportunity for effective group interaction and soloing.

Certainly not revolutionary, but entirely enjoyable. 4 and 1/2 stars.