Rejoicing with the Light is an album by Muhal Richard Abrams. It was released on the Italian Black Saint label in 1983 and features performances of five of Abrams' compositions by a fourteen-member orchestra.
Reception
The AllMusic review by Ron Wynn states: "He led the orchestra through pieces that were sometimes introspective and other times jubilant and swinging, but never simple or predictable. This session was a challenging, instructive, and entertaining lesson in modern big band writing, arranging and performing".Wynn, R. [ AllMusic Review] accessed March 2, 2009. The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 3 stars stating "These albums seem even more compelling now than they did when they first came out, because it is clear where the leader's ideas are going".
Track listing All compositions by Muhal Richard Abrams "The Heart Is Love and "I Am"" - 10:25 "Blessed Be the Heavens at 12" - 9:33 "Bloodline" - 7:54 "Rejoicing with the Light" - 8:42 "Spiral to Clarity" - 4:38
Personnel Muhal Richard Abrams: piano, conductor Janette Moody: soprano voice Warren Smith: percussion, timbales, vibraphone John Purcell: clarinet, bass clarinet, piccolo, alto saxophone, oboe, flute Jean-Paul Bourelly: guitar Vincent Chancey: french Horn Eugene Ghee: clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone Patience Higgins: clarinet, alto clarinet, baritone saxophone Marty Ehrlich: clarinet, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, flute Craig Harris: trombone Baikida Carroll: trumpet, flugelhorn Howard Johnson: tuba, baritone saxophone, contrabass clarinet Abdul Wadud: cello Rick Rozie: bass Andrew Cyrille: drums
References