Be My Monster Love Explained

Be My Monster Love
Type:Album
Artist:David Murray Infinity Quartet featuring Macy Gray & Gregory Porter
Cover:Be My Monster Love.jpg
Released:June 11, 2013
Recorded:July 16, 2012
Genre:Jazz
Length:66:34
Label:Motéma
MTM 112
Producer:Valerie Malot & David Murray
Chronology:David Murray
Prev Title:Plays Nat King Cole en Español
Prev Year:2010

Be My Monster Love is an album by saxophonist David Murray's Infinity Quartet with guest vocalists Macy Gray and Gregory Porter released in 2013 on the Motéma label.[1]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 3½ stars, stating: "Be My Monster Love is a diverse, travel modern creative jazz through a prismatic lens. While Murray's compositions are tighter and more song-like than ever (the presence of these excellent vocalists highlights this), he simultaneously offers a group of stellar players the opportunity (collectively and individually) to shine and push their margins. Highly recommended".[2] JazzTimes observed "For all the concepts in motion, this is one of Murray’s most relaxed albums in a while. More often than not, he’s in classic tenor mode, pouring out bruisingly melodic lines".[3] On All About Jazz, Phil Barnes said "Jazz seems to struggle to cross over these days, but gems such as these are still there to be unearthed – they may not have the media profile of the past but the musical quality and innovation remains. Lets hope that someone out there in the mainstream is listening".[4]

Track listing

All compositions by David Murray except as indicated

  1. "French Kiss for Valerie" – 6:55
  2. "Be My Monster Love" (lyrics by Ishmael Reed) – 6:35
  3. "Stressology" – 6:45
  4. "Army of the Faithful (Joyful Noise)" (lyrics by Ishmael Reed) – 6:19
  5. "Sorrow Song" – 8:58
  6. "About the Children" (lyrics by Abiodun Oyewole) – 7:49
  7. "The Graduate" – 5:41
  8. "Hope Is a Thing with Feathers" (lyrics by Ishmael Reed) – 7:19

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. http://motema.com/releases/be-my-monster-love/ Motéma Music catalogue
  2. Jurek, T. Allmusic Review, accessed July 8, 2014.
  3. Sachs, L., JazzTimes review, July/August 2003.
  4. D'Souza, J., All About Jazz review, November 29, 2013.