Baiyina (The Clear Evidence) Explained

Italic Title:no
Baiyina (The Clear Evidence)
Type:Studio
Artist:Pat Martino
Cover:Baiyina (The Clear Evidence).jpg
Released:1968
Recorded:June 11, 1968
New York City
Genre:Jazz
Length:37:55
Label:Prestige
PR 7589
Producer:Don Schlitten
Chronology:Pat Martino
Prev Title:East!
Prev Year:1968
Next Title:Desperado
Next Year:1970

Baiyina (The Clear Evidence) (subtitled A psychedelic excursion through the magical mysteries of the Koran) is the fourth album by guitarist Pat Martino recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige label.[1] [2]

Reception

Scott Yanow of Allmusic states, "Pat Martino's fourth of five Prestige albums contains plenty of intriguing music... The use of Indian instruments, drones, and unusual time signatures (including 7/4, 9/4, and 10/8) gives the performances the flavor of early fusion, and some of the effects sound a bit dated. However, the results were not overtly commercial, and the leader gets in several noteworthy improvisations".[3]

The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "A whiff of incense and patchouli oil, but Martino's own playing stays tough."

Shaun Brady, writing for NPR, stated that the album was evidence that Martino was "stretching further into new inspirations," and that it "forged a kind of impassioned transcendentalism, merging his fervent soloing and muscular swing with meditative drones."[4]

In an article for All About Jazz, Ian Patterson wrote: "Martino... navigates the unusual time signatures with attacking lines that owe more to Coltrane and Shankar than Wes Montgomery.... It is... a fascinating insight into Martino's evolution and stands as a unique entry in his discography."[5]

Track listing

All compositions by Pat Martino

  1. "Baiyina" – 11:54
  2. "Where Love's a Grown Up God" – 6:35
  3. "Israfel" – 6:18
  4. "Distant Land" – 13:08

Personnel

Production

Notes and References

  1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/prestige-records/catalog-7500-series/#pr-7589 Prestige Records discography
  2. http://www.patmartino.com/ Pat Martino discography
  3. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review, accessed May 3, 2013
  4. Web site: Jazz guitarist Pat Martino, a virtuoso twice over, dies at 77 . Shaun . Brady . November 2, 2021 . NPR . April 3, 2022.
  5. Web site: Pat Martino Top Ten Albums: More Than Meets The Eye . Ian . Patterson . December 27, 2021 . All About Jazz . April 3, 2022.