David Murray - The Complete Remastered Recordings On Black Saint & Soul Note Vol.2 (7 CD, 2013) [FLAC]

 

David Murray's first box set in this series was one of Black Saint/Soul Note's better reissues. And this second volume is it's equal, and in some instances possibly better. The seven albums here span the years 1979 to 1993, and show Murray in different playing styles, but always close to the top of his skills. 

David Murray - The Complete Remastered Recordings On Black Saint & Soul Note Vol.1 (5 CD, 2011) [FLAC]

 

The five CDs in this box represent the first David Murray Octet recordings, released between between 1980 and 1991. The original version of the band included Murray on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, Lawrence "Butch" Morris on cornet, Henry Threadgill on alto saxophone, trombonist George Lewis, trumpeter Olu Dara, drummer Steve McCall, bassist Wilber Morris, and pianist Anthony Davis. This incarnation lasted for the first two albums in the set, Ming (1981) and Home (1982). Lewis and Dara are replaced on 1983's Murray's Steps by Craig Harris on trombone and trumpeter Bobby Bradford. While all of the Murray Octet recordings are worth hearing, it is these first three that are most enduring in scope and execution.