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Recorded less than 3 weeks before his tragic death at the age of 36, Naima ranks among Eric Dolphy's greatest creations. Brilliantly opening the album with an unaccompanied statement on bass clarinet, Dolphy stretches out on a lengthy version of John Coltrane's immortal "Naima." His spirited playing on Jaki Byard's "Ode to Charlie Parker" is a prime example of how Dolphy helped transform the flute into a respectable jazz instrument. The 19-minute Dolphy original, "Springtime," sadly shows us just how much he had left to say, even though his time was set to run out. As was so often the case in his later years, Naima features some of Dolphy's finest solos recorded with a mostly European band playing well below his level. The fine French rhythm section on Naima prudently handles this mismatching of talents by holding down a restrained African-infused beat behind Dolphy's soaring runs on flute, alto, and bass clarinet. And while he is joined by trumpeter Donald Byrd and Nathan Davis on tenor, musicians who prove more than capable of keeping up with him, it is Dolphy's mighty voice that dominates throughout. This tough to find European CD is well worth the search.
--John Ballon (email)
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Tracks:
1. Naima (Coltrane) - 15:18
2. Ode to Charlie Parker (Byard) - 5:34
3. Springtime (Dolphy) - 19:14
Players:
Eric Dolphy - Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Alto), Flute
Nathan Davis - Sax (Tenor)
Donald Byrd - Trumpet
Jacques Dieval - Piano
Jacques B. Hess - Bass
Franco Manzecchi - Drums
Jacky Bambou - Percussion
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