AllMusic

Marcus Belgrave

Working Together

1992

American Popular Song

This 1992 date between Detroit trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave and drummer/composer Lawrence Williams is a snapshot in time not only of the two principals, but of the Detroit jazz scene in general that was about to explode, with musicians either leaving town or making names for themselves that were big enough that they could call their own shots. Of the 11 compositions here, Williams wrote nine of them. The tone is elegant post-bop with modal shades thrown across an array of contemporary blues settings.

- Thom Jurek

Alberta Hunter

Amtrak Blues

1978

Classic Female Blues

Alberta Hunter was 83 years old and had been retired from music for over twenty years when she cut this set of bluesy jazz (or jazzy blues) numbers that showed the wisdom of her age but with the spunk and fire of a woman a third her age. Cool, sly, and even sexy, Hunter was a great underappreciated talent in her youth, but she was undeniable in her 80s, and this was a career peak.

- Mark Deming