MCPHEE, JOE - SOLOS: THE LOST TAPES (1980 - 1981 - 1984) (LP)

"In 1976, Joe McPhee recorded the landmark album Tenor, kicking off a solo period of finding and refining the distinctive voice that continues to inform his music to this day. Solos: The Lost Tapes (1980 - 1981 - 1984) is a collection of material from McPhee's personal archives that shines new light on the legendary multi-instrumentalist's work during this time. "Wind Cycles", for tenor saxophone, explores the permutations of breath on reed and brass, from quiet whispers to full-throated cries and back again. With "The Redwood Rag", McPhee takes a jaunty melody and gives it a swinging workout with Steve Lacy-like precision. The free-blowing alto excursion "Ice Blu" is, in McPhee's words, "a sound which evokes an image, which asks a question 'What is that?' and the answer is, a sound which evokes an image which asks a question." "Voices", one of his signature compositions, gets a particularly haunting treatment here on soprano, with McPhee incorporating various electronics to mesmerizing effect. All together, Solos: The Lost Tapes (1980 - 1981 - 1984) is the distilled essence of one of the most important creative improvising musicians of our time. Cover art by Judith Lindbloom. Includes a download coupon for the full album plus a bonus interview, conducted at the New Music America Festival in 1981." (label info)