South Side Street Songs is an album by American jazz saxophonist Ernest Dawkins' New Horizons Ensemble, which was recorded in 1993 and released on the Swedish Silkheart label. "Maghostut" is dedicated to bassist Malachi Favors, who replaced Ben Israel on New Horizons' first European tour in 1986, and also to the Art Ensemble of Chicago. "El Hajj" is for El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X).[1]
| South Side Street Songs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Recorded | January 15 & 16, 1993 | |||
| Studio | Sparrow Sound Design, Chicago | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 65:47 | |||
| Label | Silkheart | |||
| Producer | Ernest Dawkins | |||
| Ernest Dawkins chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz | [3] |
In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow says that the band "perform eight diverse pieces which cover a variety of moods, are not shy to swing, and temporarily embrace melodies. Each selection is stirring and full of surprises and fire."[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz notes that "The influence of the Art Ensemble of Chicago weighs heavily" on the album.[3]
The Cadence Magazine review by Glenn Good says "Given the strength of South Side Street Songs, it is almost frightening to think that this band probably still has a lot of unrealized potential. Certainly the broad stylistic terrain mapped out here would reward further exploration. In the meantime, we have this noteworthy milestone, which ranks with the best of Silkheart's stellar jazz catalog.".[1]
Track listing
edit- All compositions by Ernest Dawkins
- "Whence to Whither" – 14:01
- "Maghostut" – 8:50
- "Goldfinger" – 6:15
- "Half-Step for Granny" – 3:47
- "Ashes and Dust" – 5:46
- "El Hajj" – 4:43
- "Just Is Me" – 13:06
- "Maghostut Two" – 8:59
Personnel
edit- Ernest Dawkins – alto sax, tenor sax, flute
- Steve Berry – trombone
- Ameen Muhammad - trumpet
- Jeff Parker – electric guitar
- Yosef Ben Israel – bass
- Avreeayl Ra - drums
References
edit- ^ a b South Side Street Songs at Silkheart
- ^ a b Yanow, Scott. Ernest Dawkins – South Side Street Songs: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ a b Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2006). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (8th ed.). London: Penguin. pp. 336. ISBN 0141023279.