Azar Lawrence - 'Mystic Journey'

With its fiery playing and swirling, sometimes cacophonous crescendos and climaxes, Azar Lawrence’s gut-and-soul-punching jazz is not for the musical faint-of-heart.

The saxophonist is a former child prodigy who played on Miles Davis’ “Dark Magus” live and on record when he was only 21.

Playing with trumpeter Eddie Henderson, saxman Gerald Hayes and pianist Benito Gonzalez, also a Tyner protégé, and kicked along by bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer Rashid Ali, Lawrence channels Coltrane’s “sheets of sound” approach to create jazz as hot as a Hampton Roads summer.

Like ’Trane’s later religious years, Lawrence’s bold music takes on a spiritual quality as he and his combo create towers of sound that seem to propel the listener heavenward. Throughout, Lawrence and his mates solo and improvise, creating stark harmonies and jagged musical edges.

For heavenly jazz that soars and roars, “Mystic Journey” is a musical trip worth taking. 

– Eric Feber, The Pilot 

Tracks to download Title cut and “Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit”

Buy "Mystic Journey" (Link goes to Amazon.com)

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.