When Was That? is an album by Henry Threadgill released on the About Time label in 1982. The album and features five of Threadgill's compositions performed by Threadgill with Craig Harris, Olu Dara, Fred Hopkins, Brian Smith, Pheeroan akLaff and John Betsch.[3]
| When Was That? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Recorded | September 30 & October 1, 1981 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | About Time | |||
| Henry Threadgill chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide |  [2] |
Reception
editThe Allmusic review by Thom Jurek states, "Threadgill's main thrust was to create a series of modal environments whereby all instrumentalists would engage with one another in the framework of a particular tune, yet play different roles as the ensemble went on its way through the record... Ultimately, however, this band swung together, no matter how far out the proceedings got. They always returned to Threadgill's magically inherent lyricism and humor in the end, and each and every track here bears that out. This is a nearly mystical album in the life of this band".[4]
In The Boston Phoenix, Bob Blumenthal felt that "For all the talent collected here, When Was That? is a frustrating record. Threadgill extracts thick, varnished gloss from the ensemble, and then dissipates the effect by giving three of the five pieces over to somber, almost furtive collective meditations. ... Often the tunes just move in place, though there is some vicious guitar work on “Avoid the Funk” and two tunes where Kelvyn Bell (again) is paired with Richard Martin. Another plus is drummer Kenny Martin, who though lacking predecessor Ronnie Burrage’s inventiveness, shares his chops, taste, and time."[5]
Track listing
editAll compositions by Henry Threadgill
- "Melin" - 3:40
- "10 to 1" - 11:29
- "Just B" - 4:25
- "When Was That?" - 10:22
- "Soft Suicide at the Baths" - 11:07
Recorded at Sound Ideas, New York City on September 30 and October 1, 1981
Personnel
edit- Henry Threadgill - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass flute
- Craig Harris - trombone
- Olu Dara - cornet
- Brian Smith - piccolo bass
- Fred Hopkins - bass
- John Betsch - drums
- Pheeroan akLaff - drums
References
edit- ^ Allmusic Review
- ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp. 191. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- ^ Backstrom, L. & Lopez, R. Henry Threadgill discography accessed 8 September 2009
- ^ Jurek, T. Allmusic Review accessed 8 September 2009
- ^ Blumenthal, Bob (September 21, 1982). "Bows and 'bones". The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved September 21, 2024.