Blues for Marcus

by Steve Wilson

Overview

Steve Wilson's second recording as a leader shows considerable growth from his first, as he adds Steve Nelson's vibes to a group consisting of frequent Wilson collaborators (pianist Bruce Barth, bassist James Genus, and drummer Lewis Nash), with the sax-vibes front line creating a different group sound while adding more of the passion that characterized the first. Wilson, who wrote three of the eight compositions on Blues for Marcus, shows a stronger voice on alto sax, sounding reminiscent of Gary Bartz at times, and introduces his soprano sax, an instrument he would later use exclusively with Ralph Peterson's Fotet. Highlights include Ornette Coleman's "Jayne," based on the chords to the standard "Out Of Nowhere" and alternating between a samba and swing feel; Joe Chambers' "Patterns," taken at a blistering tempo; Wilson's "Diaspora," a three-sectioned composition played, according to liner notes writer and saxophonist Don Braden, "in the time feels of 12/8, 7/4, and 21/8!"; and the title track, an up-tempo blues complete with well-placed drum accents from Nash. One of 1993's best releases. ~ Greg Turner

Product Details

Release Date:	04/06/1994
Label:	Criss Cross
UPC:	8712474107322
Rank:	175033

Tracks

1. Jayne
2. Patterns
3. Ms. Angelou
4. I Should Care
5. Diaspora
6. Corner Stone
7. The Haunted Melody
8. Blues for Marcus

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steve Wilson   Primary Artist,Sax (Alto),Sax (Soprano)
Steve Wilson Quartet   Primary Artist
Lewis Nash   Guest Artist,Drums
Bruce Barth   Guest Artist,Piano
Steve Nelson   Guest Artist,Vibraphone
James Genus   Bass

Technical Credits

Gerry Teekens   Producer,Cover Design
Rahsaan Roland Kirk   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Don Braden   Liner Notes
Ron Schwerin   Photography
Paul Weston   Composer
Steve Wilson   Composer
Joe Chambers   Composer
Axel Stordahl   Composer
Max Bolleman   Engineer
Ornette Coleman   Composer