Da-Da

Last updated

Da-Da
Da-Da.album.jpg
Studio album by
Arthur Blythe
Released1986
StudioSound Ideas Studios
Genre Jazz
Length34:24
Label Columbia [1]
Producer Arthur Blythe (all tracks), Bruce Purse (track 2), Vincent Henry (tracks 2 and 3)
Arthur Blythe chronology
Put Sunshine in It
(1985)		Da-Da
(1986)		Basic Blythe
(1987)

Da-Da is an album by the American saxophonist Arthur Blythe, released in 1986. [2] [3] Its title came from Blythe's son. [4]

Contents

Production

The album was coproduced by Bruce Purse. [5] Blythe made heavy use of synthesizers. [6] He considered some of the songs a return to the dance and blues styles of his youth. [7] Olu Dara played cornet. [8] John Hicks played piano. [4] "After Paris" is a version of the Roland Hanna song; "Crescent" is an interpretation of the John Coltrane song. [9] [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Robert Christgau B [12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]

Robert Christgau wrote that "Blythe is a major musician and except for one piece of dinky funk this passes pleasantly enough, but its conceptual confusion epitomizes jazz's commercial impasse." [12] The Ottawa Citizen stated that Blythe "can range freely from boppish lines through to free form and funk, with intermediate stops to sample the ideas of John Coltrane, Mid-East tonalities, gospel roots and latin rhythms." [9]

The Sun-Sentinel deemed Da-Da "a multifaceted and perfectly balanced recording steeped in the essence of jazz." [14] The Omaha World-Herald concluded that "Dara's contributions show that he continues to be a promising talent deserving of his own leadership date." [15]

AllMusic wrote that "'Splain Thang', with its electronic rhythms, is a bit commercial but Bob Stewart's crazy electric tuba solo holds one's interest." [11]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Odessa"7:32
2."Splain Thang"5:32
3."Esquinas (Corners)"4:55
4."Crescent"6:34
5."Break Tune"5:39
6."After Paris"4:11

References

  1. ↑ Thompson, Dave (April 2, 2019). Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. Penguin.
  2. ↑ Miller, Mark (June 5, 1986). "Da-Da Arthur Blythe". The Globe and Mail. p. C5.
  3. ↑ Varga, George (June 8, 1986). "Eclectic jazzman Blythe coming 'home' with Leaders". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. E3.
  4. 1 2 "Hank Crawford & Dr. John". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ "For the Record". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 18. May 10, 1986. p. 84.
  6. ↑ Quill, Greg (November 14, 1986). "Blythe probing limits of jazz". Toronto Star. p. D12.
  7. ↑ Emerson, Bo (June 3, 1988). "Blythe Spirit – Alto saxophonist is at ease with all black music forms". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. P1.
  8. ↑ McClary, Eric (May 25, 1986). "Jazz". Reno Gazette-Journal. p. 8E.
  9. 1 2 Moody, Lois (June 27, 1986). "Arthur Blythe Da-Da". Ottawa Citizen. p. F5.
  10. ↑ Hadekel, Peter (July 31, 1986). "The mark of an accomplished jazz soloist...". The Gazette. Montreal. p. B5.
  11. 1 2 "Arthur Blythe Da-Da". AllMusic.
  12. 1 2 "Arthur Blythe". Robert Christgau.
  13. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 718.
  14. ↑ Sleight, Peter (June 1, 1986). "Arthur Blythe, who has always perched blithely on the edge of the avant-garde...". Sun-Sentinel. p. 3G.
  15. ↑ Smith, Will (July 20, 1986). "Saxist Blythe Returns In Satisfying Collection". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald.
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