W.S.Q. (album)
{{Infobox album
| name = W.S.Q.
| type = studio
| artist = World Saxophone Quartet
| cover = WSQ album.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1980
| recorded = March 1980
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Jazz
| length = 39:35
| label = Black Saint
| producer =
| prev_title = Steppin' with the World Saxophone Quartet
| prev_year = 1979
| next_title = Revue
| next_year = 1982
}}
W.S.Q. is a 1980 album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released on the Italian Black Saint label. The album features performances and compositions by Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray.[http://www.camoriginalsoundtracks.com/site/index.php?site=&path=cd&idcd=884&label=BLKS&alpha=A Black Saint catalogue]
Reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev2 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
| rev2Score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite book
| editor-last = Larkin
| editor-first = Colin
| year = 1998
| title = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
| volume = 8
| edition = 3
| publisher = MUZE
| location = London
| pages = 5922
}}
| rev4 = The Penguin Guide to Jazz
| rev4Score = {{rating|4|4}}{{cite book | last1=Cook |first1=Richard |last2=Morton |first2=Brian | title=The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | publisher=Penguin Books | year=2008 | pages=1275 }}
| rev5 = The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide
| rev5Score = {{rating|5|5}}{{Cite book
| editor-last = Swenson
| editor-first = J.
| year = 1985
| title = The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide
| publisher = Random House/Rolling Stone
| location = USA
| isbn = 0-394-72643-X
| pages = 210
}}
|rev3 = Tom Hull
|rev3Score = B+ ({{Rating-Christgau|hm1}}){{cite web|last=Hull|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Hull (critic)|date=June 22, 2020|url=http://www.tomhull.com/ocston/blog/archives/2859-Music-Week.html|title=Music Week|website=Tom Hull – On the Web|access-date=June 23, 2020}}
}}
The album was identified by Chris Kelsey in his AllMusic essay "Free Jazz: A Subjective History" as one of the 20 Essential Free Jazz Albums.Kelsey, C. [{{AllMusic|class=explore|id=essay/|pure_url=yes}} Free Jazz: A Subjective History] accessed December 7, 2009
The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated, "There is plenty of variety to the third album by the unique World Saxophone Quartet. The music ranges from nearly free improvisations to the four-part "Suite Music," which was almost completely written out. Rather than being a screamfest for the four innovative saxophonists..., this is a well constructed and sometimes surprisingly accessible (although always explorative) program."Yanow, S. [http://allmusic.com/album/wsq-r150543/review AllMusic Review] accessed July 19, 2011
The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album 4 stars, calling it "the best of the earlier records," and noting that it is "dominated by a long suite that blends jazz and popular elements with considerable ingenuity and real improvisational fire." They stated that "Fast Life" is "as fine a curtain-piece as the group has recorded."
Track listing
- "Sundance" (Bluiett) - 2:38
- "Plainsong" (Hemphill) - 4:19
- "Connections" (Hemphill) - 8:06
- "W.S.Q." (Lake) - 5:15
- "Pillars Latino" (Hemphill) - 5:19
- "Suite Music: The Key/Ballad for Eddie Jefferson/Pam-Maw/Hattie Wall" (Bluiett) - 5:24
- "Sound Light" (Lake) - 5:35
- "Fast Life" (Murray) - 2:59
Personnel
- Hamiet Bluiett — baritone saxophone
- Julius Hemphill — alto saxophone
- Oliver Lake — alto saxophone
- David Murray — tenor saxophone
References
{{reflist}}
{{World Saxophone Quartet}}
{{David Murray}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:WSQ}}