New Eric Dolphy Album Features Richard Davis, Eddie Kahn

Eric Dolphy: Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 New York Studio SessionsFor the first time in over three decades, previously unissued recordings from the late saxophonist Eric Dolphy have been released. Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 New York Studio Sessions contains the albums Conversations and Iron Man, which were recorded in New York City in July of 1963, along with bonus tracks and alternate takes. In all, there are 85 minutes of previously unreleased music.

As can be expected from the jazz and avant-garde saxophonist, the works range from swinging to exploratory. The recordings mark a transitional period that led up to his masterpiece, Out To Lunch.

Bassists Richard Davis and Eddie Kahn anchor the album with Davis playing the lion’s share. Davis also plays spectacular duets with Dolphy, which exemplify the free nature of his improvisational style. The saxophonist left the music up to the musicians. The album’s 100-page booklet includes an interview with Davis who says, “[Dolphy] never said a word to any of us about anything. We just started playing. He’d say we made a take; that was it.”

Get the story of the album in this video by Resonance Records, which begins with Davis on bass:

Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 New York Studio Sessions is available now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 New York Studio Sessions Track List:

Disc 1:

  1. Jitterbug Waltz
  2. Music Matador
  3. Love Me
  4. Alone Together
  5. Muses for Richard Davis (Previously Unissued 1)
  6. Muses for Richard Davis (Previously Unissued 2)

Disc 2:

  1. Iron Man
  2. Mandrake
  3. Come Sunday
  4. Burning Spear
  5. Ode to Charlie Parker
  6. A Personal Statement (Bonus Track)

Disc 3:

  1. Music Matador (Alternate Take)
  2. Love Me (Alternate Take 1)
  3. Love Me (Alternate Take 2)
  4. Alone Together (Alternate Take)
  5. Jitterbug Waltz (Alternate Take)
  6. Mandrake (Alternate Take)
  7. Burning Spear (Alternate Take)

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