Alto saxophonist Luther Thomas, guitarist Kelvyn Bell and drummer Ronnie Burrage have been playing together since the early ’70s but until this recording, they hadn’t documented their collaboration. Second generation BAGers, or Baby BAGers, they follow in the tradition of their St. Louis forefathers Julius Hemphill and Oliver Lake.
These guys really know how to cut loose, but at the same time, exhibit a serene serendipity that gives their music an organic feel. They juggle phrases, stop, start, work it in time, out of time, swing and groove.
Thomas is ferocious, truly an alto saxophone acrobat who does musical backflips. He’s all over the place with that horn! And Bell and Burrage are never behind.
It’s an outside groove here, and one that keeps moving from start to finish.
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