Ku-umba Frank Lacy - Tonal Weights & Blue Fire (1990)

This CD offers one of the best all-round showcases for Frank Lacy to date. The trombonist is heard on his main ax plus flügelhorn, piano, organ, vocals, and reciting a couple poems. Joined by bassist Fred Hopkins, drummer Michael Carvin, and (on three of the eight selections) his father Frank Lacy Sr. on guitar, Lacy's music is post-bop infused with swing and humor. The leader wrote or co-composed five of the eight pieces, also performing the standards "Yesterdays" and "Tenderly" (which starts out as a flügelhorn-guitar duet with his father), and at times showing the influence of African folk songs and world music. This CD will be difficult to locate, but it is still one of Frank Lacy Jr.'s finest recordings.