Search - Steve Lacy :: Duets: Associates

The late soprano saxophonist and composer, Steve Lacy (1934-2004), is considered one of the three greatest soprano saxophonists of all time (along with Sidney Bechet and John Coltrane) and is also considered to be the first modern musician to specialize on the soprano sax. This is an album of duets, recorded between 1982 and 1994 and compiled by Lacy especially for this album. All tracks on Duets: Associates are all exclusive to this album.

Each of these ten tracks feature Steve Lacy in duo performances. Compiled by the soprano saxophonist, and not released until 1997, there are highlights galore throughout, making this an essential recording for any admirer of Lacy's work. Each tune (most of which were composed by Lacy) features him with a different partner, including trombonists Roswell Rudd and George Lewis; percussionists Muhammad Ali and Masahiko Togashi; pianists Ulrich Gumpert, Bobby Few and Mal Waldron; guitarist Derek Bailey; saxophonist Steve Potts; and vocalist Irene Aebi. The music is uniformly superb and showcases Lacy in some of his most creative and exuberant collaborations. While the material is often familiar, the results surprise and even startle, though in Lacy's inimitably tasteful way. All Music Guide