''Buster Bee'' is an album by saxophonists Oliver Lake and

Julius Hemphill Julius Arthur Hemphill (January 24, 1938 – April 2, 1995) was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone, less often on soprano and tenor saxophones and flute. Biography Hemphill was born in Fort Worth, Texas, ...

. Featuring three compositions by each musician, it was recorded at Eastern Sound in Toronto, on March 1, 1978, and was released on vinyl by Sackville Records later that year. In 2001, it was reissued on CD in limited quantities as part of the Sackville Collection series.

Reception

In a review for AllMusic, Brian Olewnick stated that the album "allows he musiciansan unusual intimacy that fosters some lovely playing and interaction," and wrote: "All of the tracks are composed (though allowing for substantial improvisation) and are a pleasingly varied bunch... Both players are near the top of their game, with subtle liquid phrasing giving way to impassioned cries on a moment's notice. Recommended." The authors of '' The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings'' called the album "nicely intimate," and commented: "It feels a little like eavesdropping on a private conversation, but a nice historical glimpse none the less." Robert Palmer of '' The New York Times'' noted that the album "is steeped in the two altoists' rhythm-and-blues roots and should delight anyone who has enjoyed the World Saxophone Quartet in concert." Author Gary Giddins stated that, although "solo and duo wind recitals were commonplace" at the time of the recording, ''Buster Bee'' is "one of the best," showing Hemphill's "strong yet uncompromising individual link to Charlie Parker." A writer for ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' remarked: "Lake and Hemphill require intense concentration, but to the patient, open-minded listener, their efforts can be rewarding."

Track listing

# "Buster Bee" (Julius Hemphill) – 10:15 # "Vator" (Oliver Lake) – 5:48 # "Fertility" (Julius Hemphill) – 6:55 # "'S'" (Julius Hemphill) – 8:08 # "A Stand" (Oliver Lake) – 4:23 # "Flesh Turns Chi" (Oliver Lake) – 9:49

Personnel

* Oliver Lake – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, percussion *

– alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute

References

{{Reflist 1978 albums Oliver Lake albums Julius Hemphill albums Sackville Records albums