Andrew Hill / Blue Black

AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden

Andrew Hill's Blue Black was one of a series of recordings that he made during the 1970s for the Japanese label East Wind. This 1975 session consists of five challenging originals; joining the pianist are saxophonist Jimmy Vass, bassist Chris White, and drummer Leroy Williams. "Golden Spook" is a dense, moody composition full of twists. The somewhat delicate "Mist Flower" showcases Vass on flute, contrasting with the furious "Remnants," a post-bop vehicle leaning toward free jazz. "Blue Black," with Vass playing soprano sax, has a Caribbean rhythm but with wild solos by both Hill and Vass. The final track, "One For," is easily the most conventional post-bop song of the session, though it is no less demanding upon Hill's musicians. Long out of print, Test of Time finally reissued this desirable recording session as a CD in 2005.

Andrew Hill
Blue Black



East Wind Recorded: February 26, 1975 at CI Recording Studios, NYC
A1 Golden Spook A2 Mist Flower 10:34 B1 Remnants 18:03 B2 Blue Black 24:02 B3 One For 31:21  



Andrew Hill (p)
Jimmy Vass (ss, as, ts, fl) Chris White (b) Leroy Williams (dr)



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