The Grip

The Grip
Live album by Arthur Blythe
Released	1977
Recorded	February 26, 1977
Genre	Jazz
Label	India Navigation
Arthur Blythe chronology
The Grip (1977) Metamorphosis (1977)

The Grip is a live debut album by jazz saxophonist Arthur Blythe which was recorded at the Brook, New York City in 1977 and released on the India Navigation label.^[1] The album was released on CD as a compilation with Metamorphosis which was recorded at the same concert.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Eugene Chadbourne awarded the album 4 stars and states "Jazz listeners who want to get "lost in space" can consider this tasty slab of late-'70s indie jazz akin to a ticket on the Mars shuttle. Arthur Blythe and his associates on this record occupied one of the more spirited creative edges of the New York free jazz scene. The energy and determination with which the group plays is in itself an aspect that can make the sounds of other groups appear somewhat mummified".^[2]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Arthur Blythe except as indicated

1. "The Grip" - 7:15
2. "Spirits in the Field" (Frank Lowe) - 8:36
3. "Sunrise Service" - 7:54
4. "Lower Nile" - 4:02
5. "As of Yet" - 12:37
6. "My Son Ra" - 3:22

• Recorded at the Brook in New York City on February 26, 1977.

Personnel

• Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone
• Abdul Wadud - cello
• Ahmed Abdullah - trumpet
• Bob Stewart - tuba
• Steve Reid - drums
• Muhamad Abdullah - percussion

References

1. Discogs Album Entry accessed May 4, 2010
2. Chadbourne, E. Allmusic Review accessed May 4, 2010
3. Swenson, J. (Editor) (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 27. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.