Yusef Lateef: Number 7

Track

Number 7

Artist

Yusef Lateef (tenor sax, flute, oboe, bamboo flute)

CD

Live at Pep's (Impulse CD 134)

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Musicians:

Yusef Lateef (tenor sax, flute, oboe, bamboo flute),

Richard Williams (trumpet), Mike Nock (piano), Ernie Farrow (bass), James Black (drums)

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Composed by Yusef Lateef

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Recorded: live at Pep's Lounge, Philadelphia, PA, June 1964

Albumcoveryuseflateef-liveatpeps

Rating: 94/100 (learn more)

This terrific set from Yusef Lateef's mid-'60's residency at Pep's Lounge in Philadelphia reveals a handful of fine, relatively unknown musicians performing with a multi-instrumentalist at the top of his creative game. "Number 7" is the perfect place to start if you are unfamiliar with Lateef's playing and compositional style. It begins with a fine, up-tempo bop tenor statement, followed by a slower, gospel/blues tenor statement that riles the crowd to a roaring ovation. Just when you think the tune is about to end, a bass vamp/solo begins and Lateef picks up the flute for a concluding statement. While the world music elements that have come to define Lateef's work as a leader don't reveal themselves here, his soulful tenor playing reached its career apex on Live at Pep's, a memorable live date recorded shortly after he'd completed a 2-year stint with Cannonball Adderley.

Reviewer: Eric Novod

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