Blu Blu Blu is an album by Muhal Richard Abrams released on the Italian Black Saint label in 1991 and features performances of eight of Abrams compositions by a big band. Abrams dedicated the title track on the album to Muddy Waters.

Blu Blu Blu
Studio album by
Released1991
Recorded9–10 November 1990
GenreJazz
Length77:05
LabelBlack Saint
ProducerMuhal Richard Abrams
Muhal Richard Abrams chronology
The Hearinga Suite
(1989)
Blu Blu Blu
(1991)
Family Talk
(1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz[2]

Reception

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The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow calls the album "One of pianist/composer Muhal Richard Abrams' strongest big-band dates... The music occasionally glances back at the past but mostly looks forward in its own unique way. Recommended".[3] The music writer Tom Moon includes Blu Blu Blu in his book 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die, commenting that the album succeeds in creating "unpredictable music distinguished by a bustling big-city exuberance."[4] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 4 stars calling it "Abram's best album for some time... this is among one of the most important contemporary big band records".[2]

Track listing

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All compositions by Muhal Richard Abrams

  1. "Plus Equal Minus Balance" - 11:13
  2. "Cycles Five" - 7:55
  3. "Bloodline" - 15:24
  4. "Septone" - 6:32
  5. "Blu Blu Blu" - 9:17
  6. "Petsrof" - 6:29
  7. "One for the Whistler" - 6:51
  8. "Stretch Time" - 13:24
  • Recorded on 9 & 10 November 1990 at RPM Sound Studios, Inc., New York

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ Allmusic Review
  2. ^ a b Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2006) [1992]. The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (8th ed.). London: Penguin. pp. 6. ISBN 978-0-141-02327-4.
  3. ^ Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed 31 March 2009
  4. ^ "Blu Blu Blu: Effortless, Unpredictable Free Jazz". Retrieved 31 March 2012.