It is nice to hear that David Murray can still deliver a decent jazz album that is not connected to a concept or a tribute. In recent years, his work as a band leader and with the World Saxophone Quartet has been dominated by both. Tributes to Julius Hemphill, Don Pullen, Miles Davis, The Grateful Dead and John Coltrane immediately come to mind, as do some albums with African singers and percussionists.
These records all had merits of their own and some were even excellent (especially the tribute to Coltrane with his octet), but this current set of songs has a refreshing simplicity about it. There is a nice mix of songs, from slow and lush to the harder work. The Power Quartet consists of the best players in the field, from the talented and very strong bassist Ray Drummond, to the old-timers: drummer Andrew Cyrille and pianist John Hicks. The latter in particular is well on track with his bold game. Like a Kiss That Never Ends is not the best album from Murray's impressive career, but it does contain the high quality that characterizes so much of his work. (RM)more