The saxophonist and flutist
Yusef Lateef, who died in 2013, is a legend, but also a somewhat misunderstood innovator within post-war jazz. He didn't care about the word 'jazz' to begin with and he was already experimenting with meditative music and Eastern influences before terms like new age and world music were invented. Percussionist Adam Rudolph worked with Lateef for many years. On this tribute
… to his former bandleader he collaborates with saxophonist and flutist Bennie Maupin, who in turn has never pinned himself down to a style and, even as an award-winning octogenarian, still seems to be searching for new musical paths. This is reflected on the magnificent Symphonic Tone Poem For Brother Yusef, a suite in which esotericism, avant-garde jazz, world music and live ambient come together. Seemingly completely on instinct, this duo delves into Lateef's world to arrive at an extremely profound and sensitive set of their own that also demands complete surrender from the listener. (MR)more
