Search - Arthur Blythe :: Lenox Avenue Breakdown

A Perfect Breakdown

Eliot B. Muir | Portland, OR United States | 02/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite its much too long in coming reissue, Lenox Avenue remains a largely unknown jazz classic, at least to those too young or too old to have followed the scene close enough when it originally came out. In my mind, it's a must have, an essential CD. No jazz lover should be without this magical send up. The unusual instrumentation and the harmonic awareness of these musicians melds groove and melody with the seemless free improvisation that marked the era to form the most cogent piece of late '70s jazz now available. How much does this work mean to me? The lump in my gut the day my LP version of Lenox broke while moving wasn't removed until it was finally reissued."

Superb, soon to be classic recording

Open Ears | NYC, NY | 09/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first got this LP in '79 I wore it out. From its opening notes this release makes an impression with an air of textural sophistication and swing. It's an outing by players completely at ease with their virtuosity. Nothing is pressed or forced here. It's simultaneously adventurous in composition and soloing and unpretentious. The arrangements feel organic. DeJohnette, Ulmer, McBee, Franco and Newton all acquit themselves really well. Bob Stewart's tuba playing is rock steady and funky and makes you wonder why more ensembles bottoms aren't anchored by a tuba. The focal point of it all, Blythe, solos crisply and smartly and leads one of the great group efforts of the last 30 years."

Down San Diego, YEAH!!

Morten Christopher Monsen | Oslo Norway | 07/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blythe's definitive work displays funky latino-style playing no doubt inluenced by the free-funk of Ornette Coleman's Prime Time work. James "Blood" Ulmer lays down beautiful guitarwork over chunky pieces of rhythm. Blythe's thick sound is every bit as delightful and sometimes reminiscent of Albert Ayler's R&B-influenced style, albeit not as confrontational. The sunny theme of the opener flows into the title track. Breezy is the word I'm looking for. Song by song this is an elegant and essential record, groovy as hell, and one of the late 70's best jazz records."