Artist: Sadao Watanabe
Album: Go Straight Ahead 'n Make a Left
Genre: Crossover Jazz
Label: Verve
Released: 1997
Quality: FLAC (tracks+.cue)
Tracklist:
- Walk Around the Corner (Watanabe) - 4:10
- Maji (Watanabe) - 5:57
- Nightly Yours (Watanabe) - 4:15
- Episode (Watanabe) - 5:45
- First Flight (Planet X) (Flythe-Wright) - 5:54
- Swing Me a Stride (Davis) - 3:53
- Nard's Time (Watanabe) - 3:53
- Harambee (Hines)/Maraika (Trad.) - 6:09
- I'm with You (Watanabe) - 5:59
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- Personnel:
- Sadao Watanabe - alto saxophone, sopranino saxophone
- Bernard Wright - piano, keyboards
- Stephen Teele - bass
- Mike Flythe, Hassan Flythe, Charley Drayton - drums
- Steve Thornton - percussion
Go Straight Ahead 'N Make A Left actually sounds like its title -- Watanabe takes straight-ahead bebop around a left corner, courtesy of funky rhythm arrangements piloted by his longtime keyboardist, Bernard Wright. Together, they illustrate that there are still some new variations on the saxophonist's modern-day Charlie Parker-styled bop improvisations. Occasionally, the music dips into dangerously smooth territory, but Watanabe's strong playing keeps things on course and makes the record a pleasurable listen. (Watanabe is supported by Wright, bassist Stephen Teele, percussionist Steve Thornton and drummers Mike Flythe, Hassan Flythe and Charley Drayton on Go Straight Ahead.)
Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine