Tony Williams – Civilization (1987/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Tony Williams – Civilization (1987/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 48:44 minutes | 1,86 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Influential drummer Tony Williams rejoined Blue Note when the label was relaunched in the mid 1980s and recorded a series of albums with a quintet featuring pianist Mulgrew Miller, trumpeter Wallace Roney, saxophonist Bill Pierce and bassist Charnett Moffett, later replaced by Ira Coleman. This quintet was short-lived and only recorded four albums; Civilization released in 1986 was the first of those albums. Throughout his career Williams always considered his songwriting to be equally important to his drumming, so it’s not surprising that this quintet mainly recorded Williams’s original compositions, with a handful of covers and standards as exceptions.

Although he had recorded the year before using trumpeter Wallace Roney and pianist Mulgrew Miller on Foreign Intrigue, Civilization was the debut record by drummer Tony Williams’ hard bop quintet, a group also including Billy Pierce on tenor and soprano, and bassist Charnett Moffett (who would later be succeeded by Ira Coleman). The leader’s loud and forceful drumming forced the other soloists to use their maximum power, and his eight originals gave his sidemen challenging compositions to play. With Roney emulating Miles Davis as usual, Williams must have been pleased to have his former boss’ sound at his disposal. Although none of the songs caught on as standards, this is an excellent effort. –Scott Yanow

Tracklist:
01. Tony Williams – Geo Rose (07:26)
02. Tony Williams – Warrior (05:34)
03. Tony Williams – Ancient Eyes (05:27)
04. Tony Williams – Soweto Nights (06:39)
05. Tony Williams – The Slump (06:28)
06. Tony Williams – Civilization (04:29)
07. Tony Williams – Mutants On The Beach (05:56)
08. Tony Williams – Citadel (06:42)

Personnel:
Wallace Roney, trumpet
Bill Pierce, soprano, tenor saxophone
Mulgrew Miller, piano
Charnett Moffett, bass
Tony Williams, drums, drum machine

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