Ricky Ford - American-African Blues (1991)

Ricky Ford means business on this pulsating album, originally released in 1991, his first passionate, bursting solo draws its inspirational roots all the way from Hawkins to Coltrane via Al Sears and Roland Kirk. On this and the other six Ford originals in this set, Ricky organized the tune structures to allow for the insertion of free improvised passages for himself and the other players. Throughout the date Ricky's fellow musicians - Jaki Byard (piano), Milt Hinton (bass), Ben Riley (drums) - are able to indulge in classic interplay, to be free yet to function as a whole. ~ wowhd.co.uk.

Always enjoyed Ricky Ford. Stumbled on this live album of his on Spotify. Great rhythm section really pushes Ricky along. He played music that may have been more in vogue in the '50s and '60s, but he played it well. Good example of a live "late hard bop" tenor quartet recording. ~ Tom Spitzer, AMG.

Candid Records, CCD79528, 1993

Recorded 16^th September, 1991 Live At Birdland, New York City

Musicians:

Ricky Ford - Tenor Saxophone

Jaki Byard - Piano

Milt Hinton - Bass

Ben Riley - Drums

Tracks:

1. American-African Blue [1st Version] (10:47)

2. Environ (7:06)

3. Of (8:23)

4. Complex Harmony (6:48)

5. Descent (8:41)

6. Mostly Arco (5:52)

7. Encore (8:46)

8. American-African Blues [2nd Version] (7:10)

All Compositions by Ricky Ford

Credits:

Producer - Mark Morganelli

Executive Producer - Alan Bates

Engineer - Malcolm Addey

Editing - Bob Auger

Design - Malcolm Walker

Photography - Jimmy Katz

Liner Notes - Ricky Ford, Gerry Attrick