Negative Positive
Title: The smoothest David Murray I've heard
Review: "Jug-A-Lug" isn't well-liked by the critics because it's very smooth by David Murray standards. The backing band of Robert Irving III on keys, Bobby Broom and Daryl Thompson on guitar, Darryl Jones on bass, Toby Williams on drums, and Kahil El'Zabar on percussion set up a friendly, easy groove on each song. The big redeeming feature is that Murray's saxophone playing isn't always smooth -- he incorporates some free jazz squeals and harmonics into his solos. Olu Dara plays trumpet on "Ornette" and spurs Murray to his wildest soloing of the disc. None of the songs are less than pleasing, but taking the easy road means this could never be a classic disc. If you'd like a David Murray you can play for your in-laws, this disc will do just fine.
Is the review positive or negative? 