| Life Rays | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Recorded | February 4–5, 1982 | |||
| Studio | Barigozzi Studios, Milan, Italy | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 45:45 | |||
| Label | Soul Note SN 121 028 | |||
| Producer | Giovanni Bonandrini | |||
| Walt Dickerson chronology | ||||
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| Sirone chronology | ||||
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Life Rays is an album by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson, bassist Sirone, and drummer Andrew Cyrille. Dickerson's final release, it was recorded in Italy in 1982 for the Soul Note label. [1] [2] [3]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [5] |
AllMusic gave the album 3 stars. [4]
The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "In the dynamic company of Sirone and Cyrille, Walt emerges as a particular kind of modernist, a radical-conservative... Dickerson seems to be striking harder than usual, Cyrille is faultless and the music has a strongly percussive quality. Sirone is magnificent whenever soloing..." [5]
Writing for JazzTimes , Duck Baker commented that Dickerson's "conception of melodic/percussive development is really his own. He may at times sound impressionistic, as when he creates such long shimmering lines that they cease to be heard as lines and become a sonic waterfall, but it’s not just a pretty thing." Regarding Sirone and Cyrille, he stated: "The context calls for the utmost in understatement and controlled passion, and even staunch fans of these two may be surprised at how well they answer the call." [6]
All compositions by Walt Dickerson except where noted.
Andrew Charles Cyrille is an American avant-garde jazz drummer. Throughout his career, he has performed both as a leader and a sideman in the bands of Walt Dickerson and Cecil Taylor, among others. AllMusic biographer Chris Kelsey wrote: "Few free-jazz drummers play with a tenth of Cyrille's grace and authority. His energy is unflagging, his power absolute, tempered only by an ever-present sense of propriety."
Visions is a duet album issued on LP format credited to Walt Dickerson and later reissued on CD credited to Sun Ra and Walt Dickerson.
Norris Jones, better known as Sirone was an American jazz bassist, trombonist, and composer.
Metamusicians' Stomp is an album by American jazz drummer Andrew Cyrille recorded in 1978 for the Italian Black Saint label.
Nuba is an album by American jazz drummer Andrew Cyrille, vocalist Jeanne Lee, and saxophonist Jimmy Lyons, recorded in 1979 for the Italian Black Saint label.
The Navigator is an album by American jazz drummer Andrew Cyrille, recorded in 1982 for the Italian Soul Note label.
Special People is an album by American jazz drummer Andrew Cyrille, recorded in 1980 for the Italian Soul Note label.
A Tribute to Stuff Smith is an album by the American jazz violinist Billy Bang recorded in 1992. The album was released on the Italian Soul Note label and features songs written by or associated with violinist Stuff Smith (1909-1967). Bang is supported by pianist and former Smith collaborator Sun Ra, bassist John Ore and drummer Andrew Cyrille.
This Is Walt Dickerson! is the debut album led by vibraphonist and composer Walt Dickerson recorded in 1961 and released on the New Jazz label.
A Sense of Direction is an album led by vibraphonist and composer Walt Dickerson recorded in 1961 and released on the New Jazz label.
Relativity is an album led by vibraphonist and composer Walt Dickerson which was recorded in 1962 and released on the New Jazz label.
To My Queen is an album led by vibraphonist and composer Walt Dickerson recorded in 1962 and released on the New Jazz label.
Peace is an album recorded by composer and vibraphonist Walt Dickerson in 1975 for the SteepleChase label.
To My Queen Revisited is an album by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson's Quartet recorded in 1978 for the SteepleChase label. The album references Dickerson's 1962 album To My Queen and the title composition.
Landscape with Open Door is an album by guitarist Pierre Dørge and vibraphonist Walt Dickerson recorded in 1978 for the SteepleChase label.
To My Son is an album by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson recorded in 1978 for the SteepleChase label.
I Hear You John is an album by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson and percussionist Jimmi Johnsun recorded in Denmark in 1978 for the SteepleChase label. The 1995 CD reissue added an additional track featuring Andy McKee.
Shades of Love is a solo album by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson performing on two vibraphones which was recorded direct to disc in 1977 for the SteepleChase label.
Burnt Offering is a live album by American jazz saxophonist Jimmy Lyons and American jazz drummer Andrew Cyrille. It was recorded in May 1982 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and released by the Black Saint label in 1991.
Pieces of Time is an album by jazz drummers Kenny Clarke, Andrew Cyrille, Milford Graves, and Famoudou Don Moye. It was recorded in September 1983, and was released by the Soul Note label in 1984. The album, the catalyst for which was Cyrille, presents compositions by all four musicians, along with four two-minute "personal statements." Liner notes were provided by Max Roach, who wrote: "This idea of four percussionists, using sounds as their premise in creating a work as profound as Pieces of Time, is pure artistic design."
