Yusef Lateef - In A Temple Garden (1979/2016) Hi-Res

An obscure one for Yusef Lateef – and proof that the reedman was always open to new ideas at every single point in his career! Lateef had already recorded for the CTI label on a few great previous albums – but this album is quite late in his run for the label, and has a slightly different vibe – maybe a bit smooth at points, but also plenty darn soulful too! The overall format is in the vein of a lot of CTI sides from this time – larger group and larger arrangements, handled by Jeremy Wall, with enough space for Yusef to dominate the record with his solos on tenor and flute – blowing openly and soulfully, with a nice straight ahead vibe. The tunes aren't as exotic as the title might imply, but they do hit some really nice moments that seem to breathe new life into Lateef's career – and set the stage for a lot of his 80s recordings to come. Titles include "Nayaz", "Jeremiah", "Morocco", "In A Temple Garden", and "Bismillah".

Tracks:

01. In A Temple Garden 5:19
02. Bismillah 4:06
03. Confirmation 6:53
04. Nayaz 3:04
05. Jeremiah 6:29
06. Honky Tonk 3:56
07. How I Loved You 3:57
08. Morocco 4:23

Personnel:

Yusef Lateef - flute, tenor saxophone
Randy Brecker - trumpet
Jim Pugh - trombone, bass trombone
Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone
Jerry Dodgion - alto saxophone
Tom Schuman - piano, electric piano, synthesizer
Jeremy Wall - keyboards, percussion, piano, synthesizer, arranger
Eric Gale - guitar
Will Lee - bass
Steve Gadd, Jimmy Madison - drums
Thomas Bayer - synthesizer drums
Ray Barretto, Sammy Figueroa - percussion
Suzanne Ciani - synthesizer programming