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Muriel Grossmann: Union

By Mark Corroto
November 22, 2021
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The music on saxophonist

Muriel Grossmann

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Muriel Grossmann's Union is very familiar. Is that because all the compositions had been previously released? Not at all. Actually, the versions heard here are more vibrant than their first incarnations. Chalk that up to Grossman and company working and reworking these compositions in performances. The band's familiarity with the material blossoms into a stellar recording. That said, the session may not have happened. The band's long-time bassist

Gina Schwarz

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Gina Schwarz was not available for this recording date. Grossman's quartet adapted. Fortunately when you tour with

Llorenc Barcelo

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Llorenc Barcelo, a Hammond B3 master, the bass-lines can be a serviceable add-on. Maybe this different perspective acted as the spark for the musicians to focus and deliver this special recording.

The recording opens with "Happiness," one of two tracks that appeared on Natural Time (Dreamland Records, 2016), the other being "African Dance." "Happiness" is a meditative slow boiler with Grossman's tenor saxophone floating about the groove laid down by Barcel�� and drummer

Uros Stamenkovic

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Uros Stamenkovic. When guitarist

Radomir Milojkovic

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Radomir Milojkovic solos, it is in a style reminiscent of vintage

George Benson

guitar
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">George Benson with Lonnie Smith and

Jack McDuff

organ, Hammond B3
1926 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack McDuff. But vintage is a misnomer. Grossman's "Traneing In," a nod to

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane, mixes the flavors of Coltrane's "India" with an up-tempo country feel with her soprano saxophone and Milojkovic's guitar dancing over a shuffling pulse. "Sundown" and "Union" were previously heard on Reverence (RR Gems/Dreamland, 2019). Both pieces are spiritually filling, the sounds that make you understand music's higher calling. Grossman knows her Coltrane,

Pharoah Sanders

saxophone, tenor
1940 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Pharoah Sanders, and

Joseph Jarman

saxophone
1937 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Joseph Jarman and she embodies their spirit, especially the meditative side. From introspective to exuberant, "African Dance" is an irresistible piece that invites you to get up and shake your rump. Union is available as a download, CD, or as a limited edition 200 gram vinyl release.

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Track Listing

Happiness; Traneing In; Sundown; African Dance; Union.

Personnel

Muriel Grossmann

saxophone

Llorenc Barcelo

organ, Hammond B3

Radomir Milojkovic

guitar, electric

Uros Stamenkovic

drums

Album information

Title: Union | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: RR Gems

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