An Even Break (Never Give a Sucker)

An Even Break (Never Give a Sucker) is an album by American free jazz drummer Sunny Murray. It was recorded in Paris in November 1969, and released on the BYG Actuel label in 1970. On the album, Murray is joined by saxophonists Byard Lancaster and Kenneth Terroade, and bassist Malachi Favors.[1]

An Even Break (Never Give a Sucker)
Studio album by
Released1970
RecordedNovember 22, 1969
StudioStudio Saravah, Paris
GenreFree jazz
Length27:16
LabelBYG Actuel
529.332
ProducerJean Georgakarakos, Jean-Luc Young
Sunny Murray chronology
Homage to Africa
(1970)
An Even Break (Never Give a Sucker)
(1970)
Charred Earth
(1977)

In 2002, Fuel 2000 reissued An Even Break (Never Give a Sucker) along with Murray's 1970 BYG album Sunshine on a single disc.[2]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz    [3]

In a review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek wrote that the album "showcases Murray's brand of fiery, spiritual free jazz grooveology... Less than half an hour in length, it features four mid-length performances that amount to free jazz improvisation. It's compelling, and holds the listener's interest for its passion and intrigue, but this was not a band per se and the rough edges certainly show."[1]

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 3 stars, referring to it as "Murray's finest hour of the fast-disappearing '60s."[3]

Track listing

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All compositions by Sunny Murray.

  1. "An Even Break (Never Give A Sucker)" – 7:45
  2. "Giblets - Part 12" – 7:21
  3. "Complete Affection" – 7:15
  4. "Invisible Blues" – 5:25

Personnel

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Production

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  • Jean Georgakarakos, Jean-Luc Young – producers
  • Daniel Vallencien – engineer

References

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  1. ^ a b c Jurek, Thom. "Sunny Murray: An Even Break (Never Give a Sucker)". AllMusic. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  2. ^ Bush, John. "Sunny Murray: Sunshine/An Even Break (Never Give a Sucker)". AllMusic. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2006). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin Books. p. 968.