| Miles Davis was apparently in the studio when this was recorded in Japan. Three members of his band at the time, saxophonist Dave Liebman, drummer Al Foster and percussionist Mtume accompany Abbey along with a Japanese pianist and bass player. The recording is almost entirely of originals that Abbey wrote. "Dorian (The Man With The Magic)" seems like an homage to Miles. ("The man/who has the magic/has a secret he won't tell"). "Natas" and "Naturally" are great also. The world-class performance on this album is a version of John Coltrane's "Africa". Abbey wrote lyrics for it. Liebman and Foster provide the Coltrane-Elvin Jones energy and Abbey matches it. She's the only vocalist male or female who I've heard capture Trane's intensity in one of their performances. This raises the hair on my back and makes me want to cry everytime I hear it. |
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