| W.S.Q. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1980 | |||
| Recorded | March 1980 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 39:35 | |||
| Label | Black Saint | |||
| World Saxophone Quartet chronology | ||||
| ||||
W.S.Q. is a 1980 album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released on the Italian Black Saint label. The album features performances and compositions by Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [3] |
| Tom Hull | B+ (  ) [4] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz | [5] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [6] |
The album was identified by Chris Kelsey in his AllMusic essay "Free Jazz: A Subjective History" as one of the 20 Essential Free Jazz Albums. [7]
The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated, "There is plenty of variety to the third album by the unique World Saxophone Quartet. The music ranges from nearly free improvisations to the four-part "Suite Music," which was almost completely written out. Rather than being a screamfest for the four innovative saxophonists..., this is a well constructed and sometimes surprisingly accessible (although always explorative) program." [2]
The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album 4 stars, calling it "the best of the earlier records," and noting that it is "dominated by a long suite that blends jazz and popular elements with considerable ingenuity and real improvisational fire." They stated that "Fast Life" is "as fine a curtain-piece as the group has recorded." [5]
The World Saxophone Quartet is an American jazz ensemble founded in 1977, incorporating elements of free jazz, R&B, funk and South African jazz into their music.
Plays Duke Ellington is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet, released in 1986.
Steppin' with the World Saxophone Quartet is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet, released on the Italian Black Saint label in 1979. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray.
Revue is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released on the Italian Black Saint label. The album features performances and compositions by Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray.
Live in Zurich is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet recorded in 1981 and released on the Italian Black Saint label.
Live at Brooklyn Academy of Music is a live album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released on the Italian Black Saint label.
Dances and Ballads is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet, released in 1988 and featuring performances by Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray.
Rhythm and Blues is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released on the Elektra label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray and was first released in 1989.
Moving Right Along is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released in 1993 on the Italian Black Saint label.
Requiem for Julius is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released by the Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray and is dedicated to the band's founding member Julius Hemphill.
Steppenwolf is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released by the Justin Time label. The album features a live performance by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray and was recorded at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago on March 1, 1999. This was Purcell's final album with the group.
Selim Sivad: The Music of Miles Davis is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released on the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray, with guests Jack DeJohnette, Chief Bey, Okyerema Asante, and Titos Sompa and is dedicated to Miles Davis.
Metamorphosis is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released in 1990 on the Elektra/Nonesuch label and features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, Arthur Blythe, Oliver Lake and David Murray with Chief Bey, Melvin Gibbs and Mor Thiam. It was the first album recorded by the group after the departure of foundation member Julius Hemphill and their first to feature additional musicians.
Four Now is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet, released by the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray, with guests Chief Bey, Mor Thiam, and Mar Gueye on African drums.
Takin' It 2 the Next Level is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released by the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray, with a rhythm section of Don Blackman, Calvin X Jones and Ronnie Burrage.
Experience is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released by the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, Oliver Lake, David Murray and Bruce Williams, with guests Craig Harris on trombone, Billy Bang on violin, Matthew Garrison on bass and Gene Lake on drums, and features the music of, and is dedicated to, Jimi Hendrix.
25th Anniversary: The New Chapter is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released by the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances and compositions by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray.
Point of No Return is the debut album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released on the Moers Music label in 1977.
M'Bizo is an album by American jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released by the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray, with guests Ronnie Burrage on drums, Mario Canonge and D. D. Jackson on pianos, Mabeleng Moholo on musical bow, Jimane Nelson on organ, and James Lewis and Jaribu Shahid on basses.
Breath of Life is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet. It was recorded in 1992 and released on the Elektra/Nonesuch label in 1994 and features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, Arthur Blythe, Oliver Lake and David Murray with Fontella Bass and a rhythm section.
