The Leaders - Unforeseen Blessings

Artist:  The Leaders
Album: Unforeseen Blessings
Genre:  Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz
Labe: Black Saint Records
Recording Date: 1989


Although the Leaders is a supergroup comprised of trumpeter Lester Bowie, altoist Arthur Blythe, tenor saxophonist Chico Freeman, pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Don Moye, they fall far short of their potential on this Black Saint CD. Trumpeter Lester Bowie only gets to solo on a tongue-in-cheek version of "Blueberry Hill," and both Blythe and Freeman are very underutilized throughout the date. Pianist Lightsey is the dominant player on the 13 sketches, taking "In a Minute," "Now a Minute" and "Lightish" as unaccompanied solos, "Lucia" as a ballad for the trio and soloing throughout much of the 91/2 minutes of "Heaven Dance." Otherwise there is an unfinished quality to many of the selections, eight of which are under three minutes in length. ~ Scott Yanow

Lester Bowie - trumpet
Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone
Chico Freeman - tenor and soprano saxophone, bass clarinet
Kirk Lightsey - piano
Cecil McBee - bass
Don Moye - percussion

01. In A Minute
02. Hip Dripper
03. Sun Precondition Five
04. The Search
05. Lightish
06. Sun Precondition Six
07. Peacemaker
08. Wait A Minute
09. Agadir
10. Heaven Dance
11. Now A Moment
12. Lucia
13. Blueberry Hill
Recorded December 19th and 20th, 1988 at A&R Recording Studio, New York City 

FLAC