W.S.Q. (album)

W.S.Q.
Studio album by World Saxophone Quartet
Released	1980
Recorded	March 1980
Genre	Jazz
Length	39:35
Label	Black Saint
World Saxophone Quartet chronology
Steppin' with the World Saxophone Quartet (1979) W.S.Q. (1980) Revue (1982)

W.S.Q. is an album released in 1982. It was the third album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet and the second to be released on the Italian Black Saint label. The album features performances and compositions by Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray.^[1]

The album was identified by Chris Kelsey in his Allmusic essay "Free Jazz: A Subjective History" as one of the 20 Essential Free Jazz Albums.^[2]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "There is plenty of variety to the third album by the unique World Saxophone Quartet. The music ranges from nearly free improvisations to the four-part "Suite Music," which was almost completely written out. Rather than being a screamfest for the four innovative saxophonists (baritonist Hamiet Bluiett, altoists Julius Hemphill and Oliver Lake and tenor saxophonist David Murray, all of whom double on other reeds), this is a well constructed and sometimes surprisingly accessible (although always explorative) program.".^[3]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]

Track listing

1. "Sundance" (Bluiett) - 2:38
2. "Plainsong" (Hemphill) - 4:19
3. "Connections" (Hemphill) - 8:06
4. "W.S.Q." (Lake) - 5:15
5. "Pillars Latino" (Hemphill) - 5:19
6. "Suite Music: The Key/Ballad for Eddie Jefferson/Pam-Maw/Hattie Wall" (Bluiett) - 5:24
7. "Sound Light" (Lake) - 5:35
8. "Fast Life" (Murray) - 2:59

Personnel

• Hamiet Bluiett — baritone saxophone
• Julius Hemphill — alto saxophone
• Oliver Lake — alto saxophone
• David Murray — tenor saxophone

References