Ming

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
That tenor saxophonist David Murray's Ming was recorded in the 1980s is no small feat, as that era was the dawn of the neoconservative movement. All who returned to jazz-band setups then seemed tracked for high dry-cleaning bills on their suits and a modicum of attention from the likes of Time and Newsweek, writing on the rebirth of jazz. But Ming was coming from an altogether different direction. Murray was a 25-year-old prodigy heavily schooled in the avant-garde fests he snagged in the World Saxophone Quartet and elsewhere. And so he took 1960s mainstream styles like hard bop and shot them through a kaleidoscope of complex group arrangements, spicing them severely with his inestimable chops, his awesome command of the tenor sax and bass clarinet, from their lowest depths to their most skating, tonal heights. In hindsight, his band on Ming looks like a jazz summit: pianist Anthony Davis sparring with alto saxist Henry Threadgill; trumpeter Olu Dara wrapping brass lines around cornetist Butch Morris's cryptic, limber bends and curves; George Lewis holding the low brass on trombone with drummer Steve McCall; and bassist Wilbur Morris pushing fast and hard, then dipping into a soul-laced bag while Murray indulges his best ballad chops. Ming is a classic that deserves its status. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

Andante - Hot Springs Festival Symphony Orchestra
Presto-Maestoso - Hot Springs Festival Symphony Orchestra
Tempo Di Tarentelle - Michael Gurt
Tempo De Danza: Moderato - Darryl Taylor
Piu Lento - Darryl Taylor
Danza - Darryl Taylor
Tempo De Danza: Moderato - Darryl Taylor
Variations De Concert Sur L'hymne Portugais Du Roi Louis I, RO289 - Michael Gurt
Ave Maria, RO10 - Melissa Barrick
La Casa Del Joven Enrique Por Mehul-Gran Overture, RO54b - Richard Contiguglia
I. Noche En Los Tropicos - Hot Springs Festival Symphony Orchestra
II. Festa Criolla - Hot Springs Festival Symphony Orchestra

Average customer rating:

addendum
Great music, lackluster sound
A Jazz Classic From A Master of Progressive Jazz
A modern classic
Just read the other review

Ming
David Murray
Manufacturer: Black Saint
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000010WM
Release Date: 1993-09-07

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Ming
Jasvan
Dewey's Circle

Amazon.com

That tenor saxophonist David Murray's Ming was recorded in the 1980s is no small feat, as that era was the dawn of the neoconservative movement. All who returned to jazz-band setups then seemed tracked for high dry-cleaning bills on their suits and a modicum of attention from the likes of Time and Newsweek, writing on the rebirth of jazz. But Ming was coming from an altogether different direction. Murray was a 25-year-old prodigy heavily schooled in the avant-garde fests he snagged in the World Saxophone Quartet and elsewhere. And so he took 1960s mainstream styles like hard bop and shot them through a kaleidoscope of complex group arrangements, spicing them severely with his inestimable chops, his awesome command of the tenor sax and bass clarinet, from their lowest depths to their most skating, tonal heights. In hindsight, his band on Ming looks like a jazz summit: pianist Anthony Davis sparring with alto saxist Henry Threadgill; trumpeter Olu Dara wrapping brass lines around cornetist Butch Morris's cryptic, limber bends and curves; George Lewis holding the low brass on trombone with drummer Steve McCall; and bassist Wilbur Morris pushing fast and hard, then dipping into a soul-laced bag while Murray indulges his best ballad chops. Ming is a classic that deserves its status. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

addendum.......2007-05-29

in response to Pharoah S. Wail, an Amazon customer/reviewer whose writing/commentary is typically right on the mark, it must be noted that both the title and the content of his review for Ming are, in this writer's estimation, at least, somewhat off. first, Pharoah notes that Ming is "Great music" with "lackluster sound." to be sure, Black Saint recordings are not particularly known for their high-fidelity, so to speak. still, one must not forget, however, that Black Saint/Soul Note/etc were small, indie-type labels with nowhere near the resources available to them that majors both had and, indeed, continue to have. as such, it is somewhat spurious to compare Ming's sound to that of Nelson's Blues and the Abstract Truth, originally recorded as it may have been in 1961 or so, which was/is on Impulse!, a major. technology certainly changed for the better between 1961 and 1980, for sure, but what Impulse! had to work with in 1961 was simply the very best, the state of the art. this was, in all likelihood, not what Black Saint had going for them. as is, nor should Ming, for that matter, be compared sound-wise to Octet Plays Trane either, for recording technology evolved considerably, more than it actually did in many repsects between 1961 and 1980, multitracking notwithstanding, in the years between Ming's recording and Octet's. finally, this writer must also note that when compared to those recordings in his collection, regardless of and/or across genres and decades, that truly have lackluster sound, Ming sounds positively vibrant. a great recording in all respects, Ming is certainly worth your checking out.

Great music, lackluster sound.......2001-01-27

My main (and really only) complaint with this album is the sound. This is quite a flat recording. Most recently I popped this cd in after listening to the Oliver Nelson album, The Blues And The Abstract Truth, which was recorded in 1961. As far as sound-quality is concerned, that cd kills this one. It was almost difficult to listen to the sound-quality of this cd after listening to that one. The "presence" on this cd just isn't very full. You can hear everyone but the fullness and the richness of the instrument-tone just isn't there. Whereas on Blues And The Abstract Truth the sound is so full and rich you could trick yourself into thinking you're in the room with the musicians, the sound on this cd is as if you're listening to them from down the hall.

Musically though, yes, this is a very good cd. The rhythm section, Davis and Morris in-particular, is outstanding. This cd does illustrate just how all-around great of a musician Murray is though. Especially from the writing/composing aspects. He's more than just a blower, he has great compositional idea's that allow his band members the space to make their own individual statements while still retaining an "ensemble" sound.

If this cd had the sonic-quality of, say, Octet Plays Trane, it'd be a truly great cd.

A Jazz Classic From A Master of Progressive Jazz.......2000-12-12

David Murray's "Ming" is simply one of the best jazz albums of all time; a contemporary and progressive album that is also rooted in jazz traditions. It remains the perfect introduction to a gifted musician who is sadly unappreciated today.

The Oakland-born Murray arrived in New York City in 1975 at age 20 and quickly established himself as a force on the "Loft Jazz" scene, a brief but important jazz movement. Rather than seek their fortune with the jazz fusion that was popular at the time, Murray and his loft co-horts sought to consolidate the ideas of the avant garde and free jazz movements of the Sixties and Seventies while adding their own ideas. It was an exciting period, and David Murray soon emerged as a rising star.

Murray's intense early recordings in small group formats show a musician heavily influenced by John Coltrane, but also with a flair for striking original composition. Working with only a rhythm section was limiting, however, and the saxophonist became interested in pursuing his ideas with in a larger group.

David Murray was all of 25-years old when he recorded "Ming" (named for his second wife) in 1980. It was the first recording to feature his Octet (eight piece group), which was soon to become one of the most acclaimed groups in jazz. Murray's writing and arranging talents were readily apparent on "Ming," a welcome addition to a jazz scene that had de-valued such strengths for a number of years. The Octet also featured such other young talents as Olu Dara, Anthony Davis and Henry Threadgill, soon to become major figures on their own.

Murray's greatest strength, though, is as a tenor saxophonist. Arguably the greatest voice on the instrument since John Coltrane's death in 1967, "Ming" was the first recording to fully display both the fierce and tender side of Murray's playing. This recording is the first full realization of Murray's talents and ambitions and twenty years later, its lost none of its power. His compositions also stand up well, exhibiting the influence of Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus at times, but never in an imitative manner.

Sadly, David Murray has never gotten the acclaim in America that he deserves. The intelligent and progressive music he offered was swept aside in favor of the reactionary school led by Wynton Marsalis and others who, while talented and well-schooled, were less adventurous in their music. Murray remains vital and active as of this writing, living in France and revisiting his homeland only once or twice a year. Luckily, he has always been appreciated in both Europe and Asia, and he still records frequently. "Ming" is both challenging and beautiful, and is the perfect place to start for anyone curious about David Murray.

A modern classic.......2000-07-05

This album is straordinary, like "Home", always by D. Murray's octet. Its music is the synthesis of several decades of jazz, a perfect mixture of melody, swing, improvisation, free-jazz idiom. The songs are beautiful, the playing superb, the group interrelation perfect. This is an essential purchase for serious jazz lovers.

Just read the other review.......2000-05-11

This is one of the best jazz albom ever recorded, Its big band, small combo kind of thing with great player at there peak form

Average customer rating:

simply pure illness
THIS ALBUM IS A CLASSIC
If you're looking For Jungle this Isn't For you
ABSITIVELY POSULUTELY DOPE
Excellent

Hell's Kitchen
Ming + FS
Manufacturer: Om Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JPD9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Hell's Kitchen
U Ni Son
CLS
Brain Dead Amphibian Twins
Rock Higher
Electro Space Modulator
Family
The D & B Beat Box
Junkyard Devotion
80 Watt Parker
Bonus Round
Kings County
Hijack The Disco
Numb

Customer Reviews:

simply pure illness.......2005-10-29

ok dig this, if you're into underground hiphop, turntablism and drum & bass... YOU WILL LOVE THIS. CD has a few similarities to Wave Twisters but minus the theme and scratching with D&B mixed into it. turst me, IT'S SICK!!! BUY THE CD~ DON'T BURN MUSIC

THIS ALBUM IS A CLASSIC.......2004-08-18

this is one album that is definately going down in history as a real classic. this album has everything from hiphop, funk, drum n bass, downtempo, upbeat, chill, hardcore, whatever... it's all good. i've sampled some of their other albums but none of them come close to Hell's Kitchen. if you're into the drum n' bass and underground hiphop fusion type of sh*t, then this is the album to get. just get it. now. u will fall in love with it. i guarantee it... or your money back.

If you're looking For Jungle this Isn't For you.......2004-01-25

I bought this thinking that it would be some hard drum'n bass
like Ming & Fs's other albums. I am not really into rap and thats what every song on this cd is. It is way more hip hop
than jungle...if thats what you like then you will really love this album because its a breath of fresh air from all the other
crap thats out there. However, if jungle or drum'n bass is what you're looking for, then I'd suggest grabbing some Reid Speed or an Ed Rush album.

ABSITIVELY POSULUTELY DOPE.......2001-11-17

I was lucky enough not only to see Ming+FS at a show but also to catch one of their toss outs. I was so impressed I decided to actually buy a released album, something I rarely do because the majority of what you can buy is (bad) compared to cd's you can get at shows. I've only owned this cd for 2 days and I honestly think I must have listened to it at least 40 times already. THIS CD IS (...) AWESOME! If you don't own it already you either have a mental imbalance or must be dead.

Excellent.......2000-08-23

This truly is a great album. As a devoted fan of both techno (especially jungle/drum & bass) and hip-hop, I found Ming & FS expertly tying both styles together without watering down either of them.

With Hell's Kitchen, Ming & FS prove to be expert producers of underground-flavored hip-hop ("U Ni Son", "CLS", "King's County"), jungle ("Brain Dead Amphibian Twins", "Rock Higher"), even acid jazz ("Bonus Round"), and big beat-style breaks ("Hijack the Disco").

Tracks:

The Human Condition - Ming & Fs
Antimatter - Radar
Hard Rock - DJ Revolution
Babylon Rhythm Exorcism - Musaics (DJ Sole)
Afternoon Connection - People Under The Stairs
Wristy Business - Plagaiwrists
Fresno State Of Mind - Planet Asia
Torture - Infamous
Buggin Out - Space Travelers
Act Up - Craze
3:00A In Da Morning/Circus Of Hell - Cash Money
Lovin Every Minute Of It - Blak Forest
U.F.O. (In 3 Parts) - Danny Breaks
Where Will You Run - T-Rock & Faust
Cynicism - Highlanders

Amazon.com

San Francisco has become ground zero for turntablists, and Om Records has put itself at the epicenter. The third installment of the label's highly regarded Deep Concentration compilation series does not rest on its laurels--it introduces many new names that may not be familiar even to those moderately well-versed in the scene. Not all the contributors are from S.F.--the opening track, from the East Coast's Ming & FS (one of Om's flagship groups), mixes a strong drum & bass flavor into the hip-hop. Many of the performers (Radar, Plagaiwrists, Danny Breaks), specialize in the surgically precise, astonishingly fast cutting and scratching that is turntablism's predominant feature, but others are hip-hoppers who prefer to create their musical backdrops with turntables instead of synthesizers. L.A.'s People Under the Stairs put the vocals first, and Blak Forest (also from L.A.) are one of the real discoveries of the compilation--anyone into any contemporary underground hip-hop (Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Anti-Pop Consortium, Blackalicious, etc.) will want to check them out. Atlanta's T-Rock and Faust combine speedy scratching with mid-'80s electro beats and a nasal vocal delivery reminiscent of Rob Base, and the Highlanders close things out with a snotty, hyperspeed, synth-squelchy track that should appeal to fans of Atari Teenage Riot and similar bands. Overall it's a very listenable compilation that illustrates just how many directions hip-hop based music has taken. --Bob Bannister

Album Details

House. 15 New and Exclusive Tracks from Ming and Fs, Radar, DJ Revolution, DJ Sole, Plagawrists, Planet Asia, DJ Infamous, Danny Breaks, T-Rock and Faust.

Customer Reviews:

Retains the Brilliance of Deep Concentration Volumes 1 & 2.......2004-08-06

Vol 3 in the esteemed 'Deep Concentration' series, which focuses less on the vocal talents of emcees, and concentrates on the DJ side of things, and more specifically Experimental Turntable trickery, Genre Fusion, or indeed just exceptional feats of turntable skill and cutting-edge beats. So genres outside the hip-Hop area are all skillfully intergrated here. whether its the stunning breakbeat-inspired epic of "Ming & Fs's - The Human condition" which remained one of the standouts on their studio album, and retains that accolade here, or indeed "People under the Stairs" who throw down with some confidently handled golden age referencing turntable trickery.

The emphasis on this album certainly seems to be more about giving the featured artists ways to express how they are evolving turntable expressionism or certainly trying to come up with something new, or original that doesn't involve furiously scratching a kick-drum sound to death. Especially "T-Rock & Faust", "Radar" & "Planet Asia", who all seem determined to think 'Outside the box', and push the direction into interesting places, and I'd even go so far as to say that their contributions are 'Stunning' in places.

It's certainly an album that continues the excellence of the previous installments of the series, and if anything the lesser known artists on this installment, almost seem as if they have something to prove, considering the exceptional talent that was on Vol's 1 & 2......and they most certainly rise to the challenge, as there's a genuine feeling that these artists are using these turntables as an musical instruments, as opposed to merely a piece of machinery.

So if you're wondering whether you should buy this album, because you have previous volumes and you're not burned out on the whole DJ/Turntable approach, and neither fussed at the lower profile Dj's, and are only concerned about the quality of the album, (although to be fair the quality is never in question here) then I highly recommend this (especially if you can find it cheap). but those that are trying this for the first time, or indeed unsure as the which volume to go for. Then I recommend starting with volume 1, and if that captures your imagination (in the way it did me), then you'll be well set for picking up volume 2, and then this edition (which is easily as worthwhile as the others). and (hopefully) you have one of the finest series of DJ/Turntable albums in recent years. Tremendous stuff!!

Wonderful Europhic Trip for your ears & mind........2000-08-27

I dig this CD, man. This is where it all comes from. Good rap, head boppin beats, skillful scratching. You cannot expect much better anywhere else. This is the best CD I have ever heard since Soundbombing II, which focused a lot on lyrical skills, well this one focuses where it all matters. Behind the music. What an amazing tribute to some of the most skilled spinners out there.

Get this CD, you will not be dissapointed. ... it was an impulse buy I didn't regret. And neither should you.

Peace out

This is the most ill scratchin cd you can get........2000-06-27

If you want to wow your friends with the best beats and unbelievable not stop scratchin, then this cd is for you.

Is your party not going so well?

No more booze, and its causing people to leave. Well bring them back with "Deep Concentration Vol. 3"

No gangster rap here. What you get is one funky beat after another, and just when you thought it couldn't get any funkier it really starts to funk your noodle.

This cd will constantly make you happy, you'll want to learn how to break dance. Their is no need to skip one track. I pledge allegiance to this cd.

a good buy.......2000-06-19

Anyone familiar with Om won't be disappointed with this disc. Tight beats, turntable heroics, the whole lot. The rap tracks offer a nice "rest" between the more turntable driven tracks (don't get me wrong, I love tables, but every once in a while I need to hear some less abstract phrasing). Standout songs include the Ming and FS cut, and the Blak Forest track. PUTS and Space Travelers also come correct. I recommend it.

Average customer rating:

My Happy Paradise

Manufacturer: Wind Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00067RF4G
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Moscheles: Symphony in C Op 81 / Piano Concerto 6 Op 90 / Overture to Die Jungfrau von Orleans Op 91

Average customer rating:

Sorry Robert but this symphony is fascinating

Moscheles: Symphony in C Op 81 / Piano Concerto 6 Op 90 / Overture to Die Jungfrau von Orleans Op 91

Manufacturer: Signum
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000IPB8
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Customer Reviews:

Sorry Robert but this symphony is fascinating.......2000-03-04

Robert Schumann described Ignaz Moscheles' only symphonic effort as "without genius, with an absence of fantasy, melody or pleasing harmonic flow or rhythm."

One wonders if he had a personal grudge because it's hard to square that with the wonderful, if somewhat schizophrenic, piece on this disk. Moscheles seems to want to write a classical symphony, but odd feelings keep poking through. This is especially apparent in the finale where a conventional cheerful tune keeps getting interrupted by a weird chromatic figure. That figure intriguingly diverts the whole flow of the movement until we wonder how it will all play out. Lack of fantasy?

The middle two movements also have their odd moments. Strangely truncated but beautiful wind phrases pop up in the slow movement, while the scherzo is based on a bustling phrase that might look like Mendelssohn on the page but doesn't sound like him. The first movement is the most conventional but has enjoyable melodies.

The other two pieces on the disk are less interesting but pleasant. The Overture is not terribly tragic, given the subject matter. The Piano Concerto has nice moments, although the pianist is rather heavy-handed.

Schumann ended his review of Moscheles symphony by pleading that the composer not write a second one. --and Moscheles didn't. That's a terribly shame for he might have produced a masterwork in the form. As it is, he left us an uneven but endlessly intriguing essay which is given a terrific performance.