Illusions (Arthur Blythe album)

Illusions
Illusions
Studio album by Arthur Blythe
Released	1980
Recorded	April–May 1980
Genre	Jazz
Length	36:09
Label	Columbia
Producer	Jim Fishel, Arthur Blythe
Arthur Blythe chronology

Illusions is jazz saxophonist Arthur Blythe's third album for the Columbia label, recorded in New York City in 1980.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	^[2]

From contemporary reviews, Robert Palmer placed the album at fifth place in his best of 1980 list for The New York Times, proclaiming Blythe to be a "formidable alto saxophonist" and that the funk tunes on the album "proved that substantial yet danceable jazz isn't an impossible dream."^[3]

From retrospective reviews, Scott Yanow of AllMusic states that "the distinctive alto of Blythe is heard in top form on six of his unusual originals ... It's recommended."^[1]

Track listing

All compositions by Arthur Blythe

"Bush Baby" - 6:28
"Miss Nancy" - 7:24
"Illusions" - 4:10
"My Son Ra" - 5:59
"Carespin' With Mamie" - 7:04
"As of Yet" - 5:04

Recorded at CBS Recording Studios, New York in April & May 1980.

Personnel

Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone
Abdul Wadud - cello (tracks 1, 3 & 5)
James Blood Ulmer - guitar (tracks 1, 3 & 5)
Bob Stewart - tuba (tracks 1, 3 & 5)
John Hicks - piano (tracks 2, 4 & 6)
Fred Hopkins - bass (tracks 2, 4 & 6)
Bobby Battle (tracks 1, 3 & 5), Steve McCall (tracks 2, 4 & 6) - drums

References

^ ^a ^b Yanow, S. AllMusic Review accessed July 19, 2010
^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 27. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
^ Palmer 1980.

Sources

Palmer, Robert (25 December 1980). "The Year's 10 Best Albums Become Integral Part of One's Life". The Columbia Record. p. 7-F – via Newspapers.com.

[Allmusic-1] Yanow, S. AllMusic Review accessed July 19, 2010

[RSJRG-2] Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 27. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.

[FOOTNOTEPalmer1980-3] Palmer 1980.

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[2]

[3]

v t e John Hicks
Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, unless stated otherwise.
As leader or co-leader	Hells Bells (1975) Steadfast (1975) After the Morning (West 54, 1979) Some Other Time (1981) John Hicks (1982) In Concert (1984) Inc. 1 (1985) Luminous (and Elise Wood, 1985–88) Two of a Kind (and Ray Drummond, 1986–87) I'll Give You Something to Remember Me By (1987) East Side Blues (1988) Naima's Love Song (1988) Oleo (New York Unit, 1989) Rhythm-a-Ning (and Kenny Barron, 1989) Blue Bossa (New York Unit, 1990) Is That So? (1990) Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Seven (1990) Power Trio (1990) St. Thomas: Tribute to Great Tenors (1991) Tribute to George Adams (1991–92) After the Morning (Dominic Sciscente Music, 1992) Blues March: Portrait of Art Blakey (1992) Crazy for You (1992) Friends Old and New (1992) Moanin': Portrait of Art Blakey (1992) Now's the Time (New York Unit, 1992) Over the Rainbow (New York Unit, 1992) Single Petal of a Rose (1992) The Missouri Connection (and Jay McShann, 1992) Beyond Expectations (1993) Lover Man: A Tribute to Billie Holiday (1993) Akari (New York Unit, 1994) Duality (and Peter Leitch, 1994) Gentle Rain (1994) In the Mix (1994) Heart Beats (Keystone Trio, 1995) Piece for My Peace (1995) Cry Me a River (1997) Newklear Music (Keystone Trio, 1997) Nightwind: An Erroll Garner Songbook (1997) Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook (1997) Trio + Strings (1997) Hicks Time (released 1998) Impressions of Mary Lou (1998) Beautiful Friendship (and Elise Wood, 2000) Music in the Key of Clark (2001) Fatha's Day: An Earl Hines Songbook (2003) Twogether (with Frank Morgan, 2005–6) I Remember You (2006) On the Wings of an Eagle (2006) Sweet Love of Mine (2006)
With Art Blakey	'S Make It (and The Jazz Messengers, 1964) Soul Finger (and The Jazz Messengers, 1965) Hold On, I'm Coming (1966) Child's Dance (and The Jazz Messengers, 1972)
With Arthur Blythe	Illusions (1980) Blythe Spirit (1981) Blythe Byte (2001) Exhale (2002)
With David Murray	Morning Song (1983) Sketches of Tokyo (co-led, 1985) I Want to Talk About You (1986) Ming's Samba (1988) Ballads for Bass Clarinet (1991) David Murray/James Newton Quintet (1991) Fast Life (1991) MX (1992) For Aunt Louise (1993) Jazzosaurus Rex (1993) Love and Sorrow (1993) Saxmen (1993) Like a Kiss that Never Ends (2000)
With Pharoah Sanders	Journey to the One (1979) Pharoah Sanders Live... (1981) Rejoice (1981) Africa (1987) A Prayer Before Dawn (1987)
With others	Solid! (Eric Alexander, 1998) Sunday in New York (Eric Alexander, 2005) Eby (Hamiet Bluiett, 1984) Fast Last! (Lester Bowie, 1974) Now It's My Turn (Betty Carter, 1976) The Audience with Betty Carter (1979) It's Not About the Melody (Betty Carter, 1992) Gardenias for Lady Day (James Carter, 2003) The Bassist: Homage to Diversity (Richard Davis, released 2001) Structurally Sound (Booker Ervin, 1966) Flying Colors (Ricky Ford, 1980) Interpretations (Ricky Ford, 1982) Awakening (Sonny Fortune, 1985) The Outside Within (Chico Freeman, 1978) Spirit Sensitive (Chico Freeman, 1978–79) Habana (Roy Hargrove, 1997) Again and Again (Oliver Lake, 1991) 52nd Street Themes (Joe Lovano, 1999) On This Day ... Live at The Vanguard (Joe Lovano, 2002) Streams of Expression (Joe Lovano, 2005) Hi Voltage (Hank Mobley, 1967) Taru (Lee Morgan, 1968) Staying on the Watch (Sonny Simmons, 1966) Live at the Loosdrecht Jazz Festival (Charles Tolliver, 1972) Love Remains (Bobby Watson, 1986)