LAWRENCE OF NEWARK

The album's title along with the cover art makes me smile. Larry Young's real name is Khalid Yasin Abdul Aziz and he had played on Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" album and I mention that because this record does remind me of that classic recording. Yes we get Larry's electric organ sounding distorted leading the way instead of trumpet plus this one has more of an African sound with those rhythms but both have so much going on as they trip along. Tons of beats here with drums, percussion, bongos and congas. We get sax and trumpet along with cello, guitar, bass and electric piano. Oh and some crazy vocal expressions at times. This album is nuts, it really is and I love it! Pharoah Sanders was a mystery guest on sax and vocals.

"Saudia" opens with organ and intricate sounds. This is one of the more normal songs I guess you could say. An organ driven track with percussion sounds and bass helping to lead the way. "Alive" is the shortest at 2 minutes and it hits the ground running with all kinds of sounds. So much going on. A real depth to that sound as well. The organ fires off some rounds over and over. Lots of percussion sounds too.

"Hello Your Quietness(Islands)" opens with some experimental sounds including spacey ones. Percussion and horns soon arrive shaking things up. Organ at 1 1/2 minutes arrives with bass in tow. I like the way the organ and trumpet pulse before 3 minutes. What an array of sounds, I'm so impressed as it has this laid back groove to it as well. It starts to pick up some and get more intensity before 7 minutes before settling back very late.

This album really does get better a it plays out. Next up is "Sunshine Fly Away" and it opens with percussion and clashing cymbals but soon bass, drums and fuller sound arrives. Organ after a minute and it will come and go. Horns around 2 1/2 minutes along with lots of percussion sounds. Just tripping along. The organ pulses after 3 1/2 minutes then we get some organ runs. The horns blasting after 5 minutes. Nice. What a track!

The closer is insane and brilliant. "Khalid Of Space Part Two-Welcome" is the title and it's 12 1/2 minutes of joy really. Sounds pulse and beat along with some experimental outbursts. Exotic sounds too as the organ pulses wildly. Some crazy vocal expressions before 3 minutes and there's so much going on here. Love the outbursts of distorted organ. Insanity after 7 minutes and I'm head banging. Go figure? Cello after 8 1/2 minutes. Brilliant! More vocal expressions before 11 minutes. What a closer!

I just have to give 5 stars for Larry's best work, he was really inspired here.

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