Yusef Lateef - Yusef Lateef Plays Ballads '1992/2022

Tracks list

"These original ballads composed by Yusef Lateef and performed with the trio
composed of Avery Sharp, Tom McClung and Stephen McCraven are in essence
stylized forms of solo songs. And in all candor, it can be said that these
ballads are narratives told in melodic, harmonic and rhythmical verse. These
narratives deal with a variety of concepts, feelings and realizations as are
reflected in the titles of each song. As well, the structuring process of each
song form embodied a variety of elements not previously employed by the
composer. The songs have artistic elaboration and poetic refinement, which deals
with both conceptual subjects that are empirical and philosophical subjects. The
forms of the songs are free combinations of the strophic and through composed
types, ornamented with lyrical, creative and masterful improvisation by each
musician, thus justifying the title "Ballads."
- Yusef Lateef

"This collection of ballads by Dr. Yusef Lateef, musical gentle giant and
unrecognized lyrical genius of the late-20th century, breaks the boundary
between the poetic and the musical. The elegance and spiritual truth in these
ballads comes shining through in how deliberately this band works with Lateef to
let the songs speak for themselves without unnecessary embellishment. The result
is one Lateef's most aesthetically beautiful outings, and that's saying plenty
given his body of work."
- Thom Jurek, allmusic.com 

Yusef Lateef – Tenor Saxophone
Stephen McCraven – Drums
Tom McClung – Piano
Avery Sharpe – Bass
Adam Rudolph – Percussion

01 - Yusef Lateef - Night Songs (7:14)
02 - Yusef Lateef - Beneath the Sky (3:48)
03 - Yusef Lateef - Somewhere in the Forest (3:35)
04 - Yusef Lateef - Twilight (4:41)
05 - Yusef Lateef - Another Place (6:33)
06 - Yusef Lateef - You are Me (4:43)
07 - Yusef Lateef - You are Him (3:39)
08 - Yusef Lateef - You are Them (10:18)
09 - Yusef Lateef - Inscape (2:57)
10 - Yusef Lateef - All are One (12:23)

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