Air Song

Last updated
Air Song
Air Song.jpg
Studio album by
Air
Released1975
RecordedSeptember 10, 1975
Genre Jazz
Length48:57
Label Why Not
Producer Bob Cummins
Air chronology
Air Song
(1975)
Air Raid
(1976)

Air Song is the debut album by the improvisational collective Air featuring Henry Threadgill, Steve McCall, and Fred Hopkins performing four of Threadgill's compositions. [1] The album was originally released on the Japanese Why Not label in 1975 and later released in the U.S. on India Navigation in 1982.

Contents

Reception

The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested Core Collection, stating: "Air Song was the first release and still stands up well, four longish compositions by Threadgill whose quirky deployment of minimal themes and areas of activity gave the trio plenty to work with". [2]

The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek commented: "The interplay between the three members is almost always inventive, engaging, and full of warmth and humor. There is little excessive indulgence to be found on these improvisations, and the degree of musicianship with these men is off the chart... A lovely and auspicious debut". [3]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Penguin Guide to Jazz Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]

Track listing

All compositions by Henry Threadgill
  1. "Untitled Tango" – 12:08
  2. "Great Body of the Riddle or Where Were the Dodge Boys When My Clay Started to Slide" – 13:29
  3. "Dance of the Beast" – 11:03
  4. "Air Song" – 12:17
    • Recorded at P.S. Recording Studios, Chicago on September 10, 1975

Personnel

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References

  1. Backstrom, L. & Lopez, R. Henry Threadgill discography accessed February 10, 2010
  2. 1 2 Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008) [1992]. "Air". The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (9th ed.). New York: Penguin. p. 13. ISBN   978-0-14-103401-0.
  3. 1 2 Jurek, T. Allmusic Review accessed February 10, 2010.
  4. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide . USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp.  5. ISBN   0-394-72643-X.